Andrew Conway has today announced his retirement from professional rugby at the age of just 32. The Munster wing provided us with many memorable mometns down through the years, but perhaps the finest was his winning try against Toulon late in the 2018 Champions Cup quarter-final. It was a special moment that still resonates to this day. Here's how we reported on it that day, and some of the best snapshots of the moment.
An absolutely sensational game of rugby took place today in Thomond Park and was decided by an equally sensational final score. Munster trailed Toulon 19-13 heading into the last five minutes when Andrew Conway caught a deep kick. In the absence of Keith Earls and Simon Zebo, Conway stepped up and ran in a breathtaking effort to clinch the last four spot.
Andrew Conway has announced his immediate retirement from pro rugby due to an ongoing knee injury ☘️
He'll be sorely missed by Irish fans. The try against Toulon in 2018 will never be forgotten. One of the all-time great Munster moments at Thomond ❤️pic.twitter.com/VlG70P5D53— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) November 9, 2023
Racing 92 would go on to defeat Munster in the semi-final, but to have reached that last four so unexpectedly was a special moment for the brave and faithful. Despite the considerable upheaval over the course of this season and the numerous absences Munster still managed to step up when called upon to the delight of a sold-out Thomond Park.
Remembering the brilliance of Andrew Conway v Toulon
A huge chunk of that was down to the brilliance of Andrew Conway, whose try lit up Thomond in a manner akin to ROG's drop goal v Northampton, or the hit on Sebastien Chabal from kick-off in 2005, and so on, so on. It was an electric moment to be in the stands, and an electric moment on TV for viewers up and down the country.
The photos of the aftermath of the try show the emotion around the stadium.
31 March 2018; Andrew Conway of Munster gets away from Francois Trinh-Duc and Chris Ashton of RC Toulon on his way to scoring his side's second try during the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final match between Munster and RC Toulon at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
31 March 2018; Andrew Conway of Munster scores his side's second try during the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final match between Munster and RC Toulon at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
31 March 2018; Andrew Conway of Munster scores his side's second try during the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final match between Munster and RC Toulon at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
31 March 2018; Andrew Conway of Munster, left, celebrates with team-mates after scoring their side's second try during the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final match between Munster and RC Toulon at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
31 March 2018; Andrew Conway of Munster celebrates with team-mates Darren Sweetnam, James Cronin, Billy Holland, Sammy Arnold, and Alex Wootton after scoring his side's second try during the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final match between Munster and RC Toulon at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
31 March 2018; Munster supporters celebrate after Andrew Conway scored their side's second try during the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final match between Munster and RC Toulon at Thomond Park in Limerick. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Earlier on in the game, Munster's first try had come from a similarly briliant moment, with Conor Murray showing his nous with the rulebook to cleverly put Munster ahead.
But March 31st 2018 was a day that belonged to Andrew Conway, and a day permanently etched into Munster rugby history thanks to his moment of sheer perfection.
Conway retires with 30 Ireland caps, in which he scored five tries for his country, including three at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and one en route to victory over South Africa in 2017.
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