Jonny Murphy
Jonny Murphy is a former professional rugby union player from Northern Ireland, who played hooker for Ulster, Rotherham Titans and Connacht.
Early life
Murphy was born in Belfast in 1992. He attended Banbridge High School in County Down, and played rugby with Banbridge RFC. He won the Youth Player of the Year award in the 2010 Ulster Rugby Awards. Murphy played with Banbridge until 2013, when he joined Division 1A side Ballynahinch, another Ulster club.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. 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.Murphy signed to an Ulster academy contract for the 2011–12 season. 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. 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. 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. In 2017–18, Murphy continued to play primarily in the British and Irish Cup, playing six times in the competition. He made his final Ulster appearance on 10 February 2017, when he played against Edinburgh. He left the side at the end of the 2016–17 season, joining English Championship side Rotherham Titans.