Rugby

Ulster Rugby star Chris Henry looking forward to new challenges

Chris Henry and Iain Henderson win possession for Ulster during the European Cup clash against La Rochelle at Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle, France on Sunday October 22 2017. Picture by John Dickson / DICKSONDIGITAL..
Chris Henry and Iain Henderson win possession for Ulster during the European Cup clash against La Rochelle at Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle, France on Sunday October 22 2017. Picture by John Dickson / DICKSONDIGITAL.. Chris Henry and Iain Henderson win possession for Ulster during the European Cup clash against La Rochelle at Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle, France on Sunday October 22 2017. Picture by John Dickson / DICKSONDIGITAL..

IT is perhaps more than coincidence that former Ulster and Ireland flanker Chris Henry has moved into a job related to the health industry such was his unwanted personal experience in that field during his career.

The 35-year-old, who hung up his boots midway through the 2018/19 season, is now Northern Ireland Territory manager for Belfast firm Applied Medical.?

It's certainly a sea change from the cut and thrust of professional rugby although Henry will continue his involvement with Malone in an advisory role after stepping down as head coach when the current season was halted.?

His CV when applying for his new day job must have ticked quite a few boxes as he had more than his fair share of injury and illness issues throughout his career, none more so than in 2014 when he suffered a mini-stroke.?

When he announced his retirement from the sport, Henry admitted to feeling a sense of emptiness and mental anguish, knowing that there was no way back as he had no alternative but to quit due to injury.?

However, that was a relatively minor source of stress compared to what he experienced six years ago.?

He was looking forward to playing an Autumn international against South Africa when the episode occurred. ?

On the morning of the match, Henry felt unwell in his hotel room and the signs were ominous when he lost the feeling in his left arm, the left side of his face dropped and he was unable to speak.?

His room-mate, Rhys Ruddock, immediately sought the assistance of the Ireland the team doctor and Henry was rushed to hospital.?

"It was a scary time and I was in such shock. Would I speak properly again?

"Would I be able to drive again? Rugby really didn’t matter in those terrifying moments," Henry said.?

"But I was lucky it happened under Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) care, who have the best doctors and help.

"It was a massive blessing and somehow I was back playing rugby for Ulster four months later. I was very lucky.”?

He made his return in a PRO14 game against Cardiff in March of the following year but confessed that his return from such a severe illness was a somewhat scary experience.?

"I would be lying if I said I wasn’t completely terrified.

"Deep down, you know the doctor said you are fine, but until you go out there and put your head where it shouldn’t be, you don’t really know," he said. ?

"But, looking back, I thought my career was over and that I'd never play again so to get the chance to pull on the jersey again and run out at Ravenhill, it meant a lot."?

However, his comeback didn't last as long as he would have liked although he did make the Ireland squad for the 2015 World Cup.?

More injuries were to follow and he eventually called time on his career after making 184 appearances for Ulster, the last of which was against Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium in September 2018. ?

After playing a club game for Malone he woke up the following morning in severe pain, unable to lift his arm, evoking memories of the stroke he had suffered although the diagnosis was, mercifully, less severe although still hard to take.?

"I think that was the realisation; I was in so much pain and I just couldn’t keep doing it, putting my body through it.

"Rugby had taken its toll on my body and I guess the writing was on the wall for me then," he said.?

The doctor recommended shoulder surgery but Henry knew then it was time to draw down the curtain.?

"Ulster were making changes and bringing youth through.

"Of course, you want to be there forever, but I knew what Ulster were trying to do and I knew I wasn’t producing the standards I was used to.

"I just felt it was the right time to do it," he recalled. ?

Still, Henry took time to fully digest the finality of his enforced decision, which caused him some anxiety.?

"I think 48 hours had passed since the announcement and I was sent out to the shops to pick up a loaf of bread. I just remember standing there. Staring," said the former Wallace High School student. ?

"I was overwhelmed. I left school and was straight into Ulster, it was something that consumed me for so long.

"It’s part of my identity and, just in that moment standing in the supermarket as a normal, everyday person doing an everyday task, all those feelings came down at me at once.?

"I just stood there and thought 'oh my goodness, this is it'. I knew the moment I sent that message into the group - 'guys, all the best for the rest of the season, keep in touch' - that it was it.

"You exit the group and when you’re out, you’re out."