Cathal Barry
Damien Varley speaks out about his faith
Former Irish rugby star Damien Varley has spoken of how his faith has helped him cope after sustaining an injury that forced him to retire.
The former Munster player, who was faced with the devastating news earlier this year that his professional rugby career was over following a serious foot injury, also revealed that he considered a religious vocation when he was young.
Describing his faith as a “guiding light” that makes him “feel safe”, Mr Varley told RTÉ’s The Leap of Faith: “My faith is such that I trust in it. It’s a deep belief for me that you’re being guided and in every step of the way, good and bad… it can give you strength.”
Speaking of his first real experience of faith during his time in boarding school at St Munchin's College in Limerick, the former prop said he often felt “drawn” into the church during times of “despair”.
“I was always drawn to it and I was always drawn to prayer,” he said, adding that growing up he “toyed” with the idea of a religious vocation. “I questioned it at times certainly,” he said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand rugby star Ma'a Nonu has thanked God after he joined the elite band of All Blacks with 100 caps.
Speaking after his team’s victory over Tonga last week, the centre thanked God “for the many blessings” he had received throughout his career to date. “Praise to the Lord,” he said.
