Former Ireland and Munster flyhalf Joey Carbery suggested in a recent interview with Irish media that his departure from both the national team and his province was not amicable. Carbery has moved to France to join Top 14 team Bordeaux, which finished third last season.
Once heralded as the successor to Johnny Sexton, Carbery’s career trajectory declined after he transferred from Leinster to Munster under the urging of then Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, who wanted Carbery to gain more playing time. At Leinster, with Sexton occupying the flyhalf position, Carbery often played at fullback. The IRFU, keen for Carbery to develop as a flyhalf, supported the then 22-year-old’s high-profile interprovincial switch.
However, his time at Munster did not go as planned. Injuries initially limited his playing opportunities, and later, emerging talents Jack Crowley and Ben Healey pushed Carbery to third-choice flyhalf. In an interview with Newstalk, Carbery confirmed that his tenure at Munster ended poorly, a sentiment many fans had suspected.
Reflecting on his experience, Carbery said, “It was at the end of the 2023 season, when I wasn’t picked for the World Cup or the Six Nations. I wasn’t enjoying rugby at all and questioned whether all the hard work was worth it. I’ve always played my best when I’m happy, but I wasn’t enjoying it anymore. Though quitting rugby wasn’t a realistic option with a year left on my Munster contract, I felt there might be other opportunities for a fresh start.”
Now eager to prove his doubters wrong, Carbery sees his move to the southwest of France as a chance to rejuvenate his career. “I believe I’m better for the experience, and this opportunity wouldn’t have arisen otherwise. At 28, I’m using this move as a springboard to restart my career and prove people wrong. I believe I’m better than how I was treated, and I hope to demonstrate that.”
Carbery’s relocation to Bordeaux signifies a new chapter, and he is determined to show his true potential after a challenging period in his career.
