Meet the Manchester United player who became a monk

Dubai: Most footballers retire and become pundits or coaches. Philip Mulryne chose to become a monk. Yeah, you read that right.

The 47-year-old came through Manchester United's academy and made only one Premier League appearance in 1998 under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Not exactly a stellar Old Trafford career, but he found his feet at Norwich City where fans actually loved him. Over 150 games there, plus 27 caps for Northern Ireland. Not bad at all.

Back then, Mulryne was living the typical footballer lifestyle. Splashing cash and dating models while earning up to £500k a year. 

To be honest, some players earn that money per week in the modern game.  However, from the outside, it looked perfect. Problem was, he felt miserable inside.

"I was quite shocked - why am I not happy when I have everything that young men want?" That's what really got to him. Here's a guy with money, fame, decent career, and he's asking himself why none of it matters.

The wake-up call came during his last season at Norwich. He didn't find enjoyment in playing the beautiful game. It became hollow.

All those ups and downs, the pressure, the lifestyle - it just wasn't doing it for him anymore.

When he finally hung up his boots in 2008, most people thought he'd take some time off then maybe get a coaching licence.

Volunteering

Instead, he started volunteering at homeless shelters. Started going to church again. He found something which he hadn't felt in years. He found solace.

He found peace.

In 2009, at age 31, Mulryne began studying for the priesthood, initially planning to become a secular priest but later feeling called to religious life with the Dominican Order.

He studied philosophy in Belfast and theology in Rome before entering the Dominican novitiate in Cork in 2012, eventually being ordained as a priest in 2017.

He now serves as novice master at St Mary's Priory in Cork, where he helps train new Dominican friars. Now he lives with many other monks, watches three-minute football highlights on shared computers, and says he's never been happier.