Johne Murphy Announces His Retirement
Johne Murphy has today announced his retirement from professional rugby, calling time on a hugely successful ten-year career which saw the utility back win titles with both Munster and Leicester Tigers.
In his time with Munster, Johne Murphy made a total of 91 appearances for the province, winning the PRO12 title in 2011 and featuring in Munster’s historic win over Australia at Thomond Park in November 2010.
Before joining the province Murphy made 99 appearances for Leicester Tigers, winning the English Premiership three times and an EDF Energy Cup over the course of five years at the club.
The Kildare man was a member of the Ireland ‘A’ team that won the Churchill Cup in 2009, and also represented the Ireland Wolfhounds and the Emerging Ireland team, winning the Nations Cup in 2014. He was included in the Ireland squad for the 2010 summer tour, facing the Barbarians and New Zealand Maori.
On announcing his retirement today, the 30-year-old said: “I’m grateful for the long and successful career that I’ve had but it is now time to call an end to it. I would like to thank all my mentors, coaches, team-mates, the fans who have made my time in the sport so special and most of all my family for all the support they have given me throughout the last 10 years.”
Murphy, who is a director of Titan Fit gym in Naas, is currently coaching at Ulster Bank League Division 2A club Naas RFC.