Refereeing Promotions For Former Players Murphy And Neville

Frank Murphy, who played over 100 times for Connacht, has been promoted to the IRFU National Panel of Referees after progressing quickly through the Inter Provincial Appointments System (IPAS).

Frank Murphy retired from professional rugby at the end of last season having represented Munster, Leicester Tigers and Connacht during a 13-year professional career.

Capped eight times for Ireland ‘A’, the scrum half won a Premiership title with Leicester in 2007 and featured for the English club in the European Cup final that same year.
 
Murphy began his refereeing career almost immediately following his retirement as a player and his first game as part of the National Panel will be the Ulster Bank League Division 2B clash between Armagh and Bruff on Saturday, February 28.
 
Owen Doyle, IRFU Director of Referees, said: “It is very encouraging that another elite player has taken up refereeing, and Frank brings his natural game instinct and knowledge to the role. Now that he has progressed very quickly onto the National Panels, we will watch his future performances and development very closely.”
 
Frank added: “Refereeing was initially a way of staying involved in the game. I’m enjoying it and still just trying to find my fee, but it has been an enjoyable experience to date and I will take each game as it comes.”

 
Meanwhile, former Ireland Women’s international and Grand Slam winner, Joy Neville, has been promoted to the Inter Provincial Appointments System on foot of some very strong refereeing performances in Munster.

Interested in becoming a referee? The IRFU Referee Department is here to help. Click here for further details.