'I've never seen him cry before': says Keith Earls' wife as he accepts Lifetime Achievement Award

MUNSTER and Ireland rugby legend Keith Earls has been given a lifetime achievement award for his incredible 16-year career in professional rugby.
 
Born in Moyross to Ger and Sandra, Keith earned 202 caps for Munster and 101 for Ireland throughout his inspirational career.
 
Playing on the wing for both his province and country, Keith retired from rugby in 2023 after Ireland’s exit from the Rugby World Cup.
 
The 36-year-old finished his career with 36 Test tries to his name, leaving him second only behind Brian O’Driscoll in Ireland’s all-time try-scoring chart, while Earls scored 64 tries in 202 appearances for Munster.

Keith was given the award at the Limerick Person of the Year awards at the Clayton Hotel in Limerick city this Thursday. Proud wife, Edel, said she had never seen him cry before.

A visibly emotional Keith said: "I'm crying and I'm embarrassed". He said to the packed room "what a time to start grieving my rugby career".

"I genuinely haven't stopped - I’ve gone into the coffee business literally the day after I got back from the World Cup and I should have known that's not how you deal with things, putting it to the back of your mind.

"It’s bad timing but I’m happy it is happening in front of all my Limerick people. I think Edel should be up here for a Lifetime Achievement Award for putting up with me!" said Keith, who added that "I've lived my dream" during his long and illustrious rugby career.

See the video above for Keith's full speech

In an indelible Irish Rugby moment, Keith won his 100th cap against England at the Aviva Stadium last August, leading the team out alongside his three daughters Ella-May, Laurie and Emie, before marking the occasion with a memorable try
 
He made his Ireland debut 15 years previous, against Canada in 2008 at Thomond Park, where he scored just two minutes into his international career in green.

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Keith would go on to become a legend of Irish Rugby, starting all of Ireland’s matches during the 2018 Grand Slam-winning campaign and he most recently featured at his third Rugby World Cup having been involved in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 editions.

Keith has been given the lifetime achievement award for his inspiring life both on and off the pitch.

Keith revealed he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2021 and has been open about his journey to becoming medication free.

The same year he released his autobiography, Fight or Flight: My Life