
Dancing with the Stars contestant announces rugby retirement after 10 years
The Rugby Sevens star announced he will hang up his boots after 10 years playing with Ireland.
In an emotional statement on Instagram, the 31-year-old admitted to it having been a difficult decision to make.
The Tullamore native said: "I didn't think it would be this difficult writing this, saying goodbye to something that's been apart of your life the last 10 years.
"Trying to put everything into words is quite impossible or not shedding a tear while writing this."
Conroy first started playing rugby when he was 18 and played 15s with Tullamore and Buccaneers.
He made his Ireland Sevens debut in 2016 and was the highest try scorer at the 2020 World Series as the Boys in Green qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
He has played 171 World Series games for his country, scoring 123 tries in that time.
Conroy, who also took part in RTE's Dancing with the Stars, added: "First of all I'd like to thank my teammates..my friends..my brothers..who I've known from the beginning of when I started this, to those who I met along the way.
"Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you, the good times and the bad times." SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: Jordan Conroy of Ireland scores a try during the 2023 Sydney Sevens match between Ireland and Great Britain at Allianz Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by)
He said "we were more than just a team".
"We were more than just a team, we were a bunch of lads who believed in each other when others laughed at us.
"To you I give thanks and I am honoured to have shared this journey with you.
"To the special people who I've met around the world who stuck with me since the very beginning and saw something in me to @padinphx@therealdenimdan@trevorleander_trev@meenu___apr@clorabella@kobay_okeeffe@lalainejoyce thank you for your kindness your blessings.
"It makes me sad that I might not meet some of you ever again, but that's okay because we can cherish the memories we had.
"Finally to myself for believing in me for braving the toughest storms that this sport has thrown at me but also taught me so many things.
"I wouldn't be the Jordan I am today if it wasn't for this sport.
"I now officially announce my retirement from professional Rugby 7s it's been on heck of a ride folks.
"Peace and Love," he added.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I'm awkward… I don't fit the mould' – James Wade slams darts chiefs and says he's ‘crushed' by Premier League snub
JAMES WADE says he feels 'like a lemon' being left out of the Premier League, but will keep working hard to be part of it. 'The Machine' recently moved up three places in the Professional Darts Corporation's Order of Merit to No.5, meaning he is one spot away from being automatically included in next year's Premier League with the rest of the top four. 3 Wade has been in excellent form 3 He doesn't think the Premier League want him though 3 He's spoken out about why he thinks he's been excluded Credit: Getty The 2009 Premier League winner hasn't competed in the tournament since the 2022 edition, which saw him finish third. Fellow Englishman Stephen Bunting is currently fourth in the PDC rankings, and after a strong first round showing at the World Matchplay by beating However, 'exhausted' Wade has joked the PDC would 'change the qualification gaps' to stop him playing in the Premier League. He said: "I think I've paid enough dues, and I think I've done enough things, and I think I've given enough of my life to the PDC that I'd like to get those rewards. read more "But I don't think that'd ever happen to me. I think if I was to get back into the top four things would change with the qualification gaps. "I just think it would change. I'm not what they need and I'm not probably what they want, but I want to be there a hundred percent.' After the top four automatically qualify, the rest of the players are selected by Sky Sports and the PDC and assessed on marketability and popularity. And Wade puts him being left out for the last three years on him being 'awkward.' Most read in Darts BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Asked for his theory on his exclusion, he said: 'Because I'm awkward. I'm an awkward character. I probably don't say the right things at the right times. "If I was great at saying the right things at the right time, I probably would've been in all the World Series the last 12 months. But I don't quite fit into that mould. Two-time world champion fires dig at Luke Littler and Co with damning verdict of darts' 'boring' new stars "There's other players that do manage to get those things and unfortunately, I don't. I'd love to travel the "Do you not think I want to travel the world? Do you not think I want to represent the PDC? Do you not think I want my children and my wife to see me do great things? 'If anything, it crushes me. It crushes me. Why wouldn't it crush me? I'm perhaps not getting what I maybe could have got. So, it's exhausting not to be in that. "But I'll keep trying as hard as I can. I want to be in it all. I want to be part of it all. Of course, I do because when you're not in it, you feel like a lemon.' Wade next faces Wessel Nijman in round two in Blackpool .


Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Calm, cool and collected with Dulux Heritage
Unafraid of change and breaking the rules, presenter and actor Jennifer Zamparelli's South Dublin home captures the essence of her spirited style. From the moment you step through the front door and into the light filled hallway decorated with pop artwork, there is something wonderfully inviting about Jennifer Zamparelli's house. Her home is resolutely unprecious in attitude. 'I think you can tell if someone has a show home or a home that truly reflects their personality and energy,' says Jennifer. 'I want people to come in and feel relaxed, and to think, 'this is lovely'. It's very much a family home.' For the last seven years, Jennifer has shared this cool but cosy nest with her Italian husband, Lau, and their children Florence, 10, and Enzo who is seven years old. The 45-year-old, originally from Baldoyle, Dublin, first made her name appearing in the UK reality show, The Apprentice, in 2008. Upon her return to Ireland, some of her notable TV jobs have included Fáilte Towers, Republic of Telly and the hugely successful sitcom, Bridget & Eamon. Of course, she's also been co-presenting Dancing With The Stars since 2019. Regular listeners to her show on RTÉ's 2FM will know that last year she finished a decade as a radio presenter. So what's life like after the mic? 'I miss the show,' says Jennifer. 'I miss the team. I miss the intimacy of radio. I miss the on-air crack; I miss speaking to listeners and I miss the liveness. But I have two small kids and I've sacrificed a lot over the years, family-wise, for my career. I just needed a break from that and they needed me.' Jen loves the calming effect of her Dulux Heritage Eggshell Copenhagen Blue wall It was time also, she says, to let Lau, who has been holding the parenting reins, to fly with his own stunt movie career. And, her gut was telling her she had something else to do. Jennifer's next steps have been as creatively varied as you would imagine. Earlier this year she worked on a short film, A Quiet Ocean, with director Katy McNiece, which allowed her to explore a more serious acting experience. While upcoming TV credits include a new RTÉ comedy, Showkids, which airs in October. This August she reunites with her hero Jason Donovan on the Bord Gáis stage as the narrator on The Rocky Horror Show – where she'll also sing and dance (including the infamous Time Warp). Are you excited? 'I'm equally thrilled and terrified,' she says. 'I'm looking forward to working with Jason again (her last outing was in Priscilla Queen of the Desert) but I have to be perfect – the audience of this cult show is merciless!' She's also writing material with comedic pals Norma Sheehan and Sharon Mannion. 'It's a process', she says, 'so we don't know what it will all be yet. What's this they say happens in your 40s? – oh yes, you have a melt down or you start a podcast ... So we'll see!' she laughs. Her TV unit, painted in Dulux Heritage Rosemary Leaf Entering her 40s has allowed her to feel more relaxed, and she's enjoying this decade far more than she did her 30s. 'There's less of looking at other people, and there's more just focusing on the lane you're in. It's a breath of fresh air,' she says. Officially in her era of only saying yes to things that spark joy, Jennifer is lending her voice, her legs and her support to Coolmine Therapeutic Community, which empowers people to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. As part of her ambassadorship, she ran the Dublin Mini Marathon in June to raise awareness and funds. 'I absolutely hate running so it was torture,' she says with a faux grimace. Adding, 'but if these gutsy women can go into recovery, I can run a 10k.' The island she painted in Dulux Heritage Setting Stone, while cabinets are Fresh Flour Happiest in a full home, she says, 'I never want to have a house where people don't feel like they could put their feet up on the table. That's the thing about interiors – they are so personal and they have to work for your family. I don't think there's a right way to decorate your home, whatever the experts say. Decorating your home as a reflection of the life you really live will make your parties more fun, kids happier, relaxing easier, chats more intimate, guests more at ease.' Throwing a party is one of the first things Jen is planning to do in her spruced up kitchen The spacious open plan kitchen and dining room, featuring huge bifold doors leading out to the garden, is the indisputable heart and soul of the house. 'It's where we cook, hang out with the kids, chill with friends and host parties,' she says 'but it was getting really gloomy and tired looking so I jumped at the chance of a vibrant update.' Keen to go for something less conventional for the space than one shade, Jennifer wanted to experiment with different colour pairings from the Dulux Heritage range. 'Let's face it, the colour scheme was never going to be all grey,' she laughs. Full credit, she says goes to Jane, her Dulux Heritage colour consultant who gave great advice on complementary shades. 'We went for Copenhagen Blue on the dining room wall, Rosemary Leaf on the media unit, Setting Stone on the island, Fresh Flour on the kitchen cabinet units, and the doors and ceiling were painted with Piano White.' If it sounds busy, it is. But there's a purposefulness and precision to it that works to deliver an uplifting, joyous energy. An abundance of plants, art, photographs and books make the overall effect cosy, yet somehow paradoxically calm. Jennifer Zamparelli, photographed at her home in Dublin 'I'm thrilled with the transformation,' says Jennifer, 'the room feels lighter and bigger but above all it's comforting and welcoming. We love it.' The best part? 'It's lit a fire under me now about more painting projects,' she says with a laugh. 'I'm going to do the young guy's bedroom next – he's very excited!' Explore the full range of colours and recommended colour schemes on the Dulux Heritage website


Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Johnny Ward shares message Barry Keoghan sent before DWTS final
Actor Johnny Ward has revealed Barry Keoghan sent him a video message the night before the Dancing With The Stars final. The pair worked together on Love/Hate, which saw Keoghan launch into international stardom. But Johnny said the pair occasionally keep in touch, with the Dubliner revealing the sweet message the Banshees of Inisherin star sent him before the final of Dancing With The Stars in 2019. He said: 'I thought that was so lovely. He hasn't forgotten who he is and his background." They co-starred in the 2016 film Mammal, directed by Rebecca Daly. Ward remembers filming with Keghan in Luxembourg for the 2016 movie Mammal and being keenly aware of the Dubliner's star potential. "I remember looking at him and going, 'This guy' - it's like a disease, but in the best way possible, because there's no way someone can be, without any effort, just so talented. I was sitting going over lines, wondering, 'What emotion can I do here?' whereas he would just do it - he's absolutely phenomenal,' he told Sunday Independent's Life magazine. The Dubliner also opens up dealing with grief since the death of his father John, who passed away from cancer in 2019. After Ward completed RTÉ's Ultimate Hell Week in 2022, the first person he called was his dad, getting through to the answer phone before the realisation hit him. Recently, he was in a shopping centre and Coldplay's Viva la Vida came on. "I hear that and the music will give me shivers because, oh God, we were doing a routine, and I'll just think of my dad and what stage of death he was at. "You get those little things, and it's normal," he added. "But I know that if my dad was alive, he'd be saying, 'Look after your mother, and that's what I'm doing." Ward splits his time between living and caring for his mum in Walkinstown, Dublin, and his home with his wife, Brenda, in Kilcullen, Co Kildare. "It's kind of half and half, and then at the weekends we'll all come together," he said, adding that he sees it as a chance to try and repay all the support his mum gave him growing up. "She's the reason I'm sitting here," he says emphatically. "Without her, I definitely would have given up acting a long time ago. I wouldn't have stuck to it." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.