Jonny Murphy
BornJonathan Murphy
(1992-02-06) 6 February 1992 (age 33)
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight104 kg (16 st 5 lb)
SchoolBanbridge High School
Rugby union career
Position Hooker
Current team Connacht
Youth career
Banbridge
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2017 Ballynahinch
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2017 Ulster 6 (0)
2017–2018 Rotherham Titans 23 (10)
2018–2022 Connacht 21 (5)
Correct as of 15 Apr 2022[1]
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011 Ireland U20 1 (0)
Correct as of 24 May 2018

Jonny Murphy (born 6 February 1992) is a former professional rugby union player from Northern Ireland, who played hooker for Ulster (2015-17), Rotherham Titans (2017-18) and Connacht (2018-22).

Early life

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Murphy was born in Belfast in 1992. He attended Banbridge High School in County Down,[2] and played rugby with Banbridge RFC.[3] He won the Youth Player of the Year award in the 2010 Ulster Rugby Awards.[4] Murphy played with Banbridge until 2013, when he joined Division 1A side Ballynahinch, another Ulster club.[5]

Rugby career

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Ulster

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Murphy was involved with Ulster at under-age level. He was identified at the age of 16 and added to a Regional Development Squad.[3] In 2010, Murphy was selected as part of a combined team with Leinster for a challenge match against a combined Connacht/Munster side, the first ever game at the newly built Aviva Stadium.[6]

Murphy signed to an Ulster academy contract for the 2011–12 season.[7] During his time in the academy he played for the province's second tier side, the Ulster Ravens, playing twice in the 2013–14 British and Irish Cup.[8] He spent four years in the academy, before signing a senior development contract ahead of the 2015–16 season. Murphy made his senior debut for Ulster against Scarlets in the Pro12 on 21 February 2016.[2] He did not play again for the senior side in that season, but made five appearances for the Ravens in the 2015–16 British and Irish Cup.[8] In 2017–18, Murphy continued to play primarily in the British and Irish Cup, playing six times in the competition.[9] He made his final Ulster appearance on 10 February 2017, when he played against Edinburgh.[2] He left the side at the end of the 2016–17 season, joining English Championship side Rotherham Titans.[10]

Rotherham Titans

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In May 2018, it was announced that Murphy had joined Rotherham Titans for the 2017–18 season.[10] He made his debut for the side on 9 September 2017, when he came on as a replacement against Doncaster Knights in the Championship. Murphy made a total of 12 appearances in the competition.[11] He also played five times in the 2017–18 British and Irish Cup, scoring two tries.[9] Murphy made his final appearance for the Titans on 10 March 2018, when he played against Ealing Trailfinders.[11] He left Rotherham at the end of the season, returning to Ireland to join Connacht.[12]

Connacht

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It was announced in May 2018 that Murphy had signed for Connacht. He joined the side ahead of the 2018–19 season.[12] He played four seasons in Galway, before being released before the 2022-23 season.[13]

International

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Murphy has represented Ireland internationally at under-age level. He was part of the Irish under-18 club side in 2009 and 2010.[3] He also played for the under-19 side.[14] In May 2011, Murphy was named in Mike Ruddock's Ireland under-20 squad for the upcoming Junior World Cup.[15] He made his sole appearance for the side on 26 June 2011, when he came on as a replacement against Wales.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Jonny Murphy". its rugby. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Player: Jonny Murphy". Ulster Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Ireland Under 18 Clubs: Developing Players for the Future". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  4. ^ Richard Mulligan, "Henry hat-trick caps super year", News Letter, 21 May 2010
  5. ^ "Riordan Brace Helps 'Belvo Earn Bonus Point Win". Irish Rugby. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Leinster/Ulster O2 Challenge team revealed". RTÉ Sport. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  7. ^ "About Phoenix Ulster Rugby Academy". Ulster Rugby. Archived from the original on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Jonny Murphy Record by competition British & Irish Cup All seasons". StatBunker. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Rugby - Player statistics - club stats: Jonathan Murphy". ItsRugby. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Jonny Murphy signs in at Clifton Lane". Titans Rugby. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Jonny Murphy Player matches All competitions 2017/2018". StatBunker. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Connacht: Former Ulster hooker Jonny Murphy joins from Rotherham". BBC Sport. 24 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Connacht Rugby confirm departing players". Connacht Rugby. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Connacht Rugby sign former Ulster Hooker Jonny Murphy". Ultimate Rugby. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Ireland U-20 Squad Named For Junior World Championship". Irish Rugby. 25 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Ireland Under-20 Squad Profiles: Jonny Murphy". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
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