Ireland rugby star Conor Murray and wife welcome first child and share cute name

Munster and Ireland rugby star Conor Murray and his wife, model Joanna Murray, have welcomed their first child into the world.

The couple, who celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary in June, announced the arrival of baby Alfie Murray, on Instagram this Saturday morning.

Joanna gave birth to the little boy last Tuesday but the couple decided to spend some private time with their baby before officially announcing their happy news. 

“Alfie Murray – 22/10/24,” Joanna posted on her Instagram account which has 173,000 followers.

The post included an adorable black and white photo of Alfie snuggled up in a white dressing gown with bunny ears, with each of his tiny hands grasping his parents’ fingers.

READ NEXT: RTE Late Late Show viewers ‘change channels’ after shock moment with guests

Meanwhile, on her Instagram stories, Joanna penned the words “My heart might explode” in a post over the photo of the wee boy. 

Conor cut his trip in South Africa for the second game of the United Rugby Championship (URC) short on October 21 to be with to his wife, citing ‘family reasons’ for flying home. Munster play the Sharks at 3pm at Kings Park Stadium in Durban this Saturday, October 26. 

Prior to baby Alfie’s birth, the excitement was building in the Murray household, as the new parents prepared for their first baby.

In weeks leading up to the big day, both Conor and Joanna shared that they were busy assembling furniture for the “nursery of their dreams”. 

The picture-perfect couple chose cosy, warm neutral tones to decorate little Alfie’s new home.

The well wishes have been flooding in for the first-time parents. 

“The cutest,” wrote Harriet Beirne, wife of Munster and Ireland star Tadhg Beirne.

Jessica O’Mahony, wife of Peter O’Mahony, simply posted four smiling emojis with love heart eyes.

Announcing her pregnancy on Instagram earlier this year, Joanna posted a short black and white video of her and husband Conor in May, simply stating “Mom & Dad”. 

In June, she posted a series of candid pregnancy pictures saying “halfway”.

Additionally, Patrickswell native Conor previously said that Joanna’s pregnancy was “smooth” and that she was “lucky”. 

“Not much sickness, [she is] just a bit tired. That’s it. That’s a good complaint,” he said in July.

A year on from marrying Derry girl Joanna, 29, in a luxury Portuguese venue in the Algarve, the 35-year-old said in July that he is not ready to give up rugby just yet.

“I’m happy to stay going. I’m 35 now and I always said I would stop at 35 or 36 but I’ll say nothing and see if they want me to keep going but at the moment, I feel good,” Conor said in a previous interview with The Sun.

“Being involved with Ireland is a huge buzz so I’ll stick around as long as they want me here.”