Jonny Murphy
Irish rugby union player (born 1992)
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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).
6 February 1992
| Born | Jonathan Murphy 6 February 1992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 104 kg (16 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Banbridge High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
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
Ulster
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
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
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
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]