Connacht centre Keith Matthews admits he is keeping his options open after he was forced to quit.
Achilles injury ends centre's career
Former Ireland A international Keith Matthews admits he is keeping his options open after he was forced to quit Connacht through injury.
The 29-year-old centre has been sidelined since April when he ruptured his Achilles in the build-up to the Cardiff Blues clash, just 13 days after winning his 100th cap for Connacht.
And Matthews has now taken the "heart-breaking" decision to hang up his boots.
"I'm going to keep my options open at the moment, I've a couple of months to decide where to go next and what to do, I've got my computer engineering degree from the University of Limerick behind me and I've got my QFA (Qualified Financial Advisor) exams now as well so that's a route I may take," said Matthews.
"I'm also looking into going back to college next year, maybe to do a post-grad in chartered accountancy so we'll see what happens.
"The family are living here with me and though we've always planned to move back to Limerick at some stage I don't think we're ready to leave Galway just yet. We've been living here for seven years and it's a great city, great people. I would definitely consider myself a Connacht-man now, so even if we do move I'll always support Connacht.
Daunting
"It's heart-breaking being told your rugby career is over but I've had a little bit of time to get my head around it and though it's a bit daunting thinking of a life without rugby in it as one chapter closes another opens so I'll keep myself busy and just get on with it.
"It'll be hard not playing anymore, standing in the terraces watching the guys play against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup and knowing I'll never hear the roar of the crowd after a good break or a good tackle. That was one of things that really hit home and that was pretty tough but I have no regrets at all. I like to think that every time I pulled on the green jersey I gave it my best, yeah I made mistakes, I'm only human but I always gave it 100 per cent."
"I'm delighted to have reached 100 caps for the province, it's a big milestone and it's great to know I'm up there on the '100 Wall', it's something I'm very proud of.
"I've had seven great seasons with the club and enjoyed every single one of them and I would like to say a huge thank you to all the players, coaches, staff and medical personnel who I've worked with over the years, especially the physios who've helped me in the last seven months. I'd also like to thank all the Connacht fans and supporters for all the great memories."
