Munster suffer another blow as flyer Murphy is forced to retire at 28

ANOTHER high-profile rugby player has been forced into early retirement.

Munster centre Barry Murphy quit the game yesterday after a professional career marred by a spate of serious injuries. The former UL Bohemians flyer missed most of the current season due to numerous injuries and the most recent, a metatarsal problem in his left foot, gave him no option but to quit.

“People say to me I’ve been unlucky and while I appreciate what they mean I don’t see it that way,” he said.

“The past seven or eight years have been a wonderful time in my life, playing with Munster. I’ve made loads of friends here in this squad, enjoyed some great times and I wouldn’t trade a moment of it.”

The 28-year-old burst onto the scene during the 2005/06 season with a try against Sale Sharks at Thomond Park in the pool stages and was tipped for a bright future in the game.

He forged an effective centre partnership with South African Trevor Halstead that year, but did not feature in the Heineken Cup victory over Biarritz later after going over on his ankle playing against Ulster.

It would be the start of many injury problems for the talented three-quarter and he follows the lead of team-mate Ian Dowling, who also decided to hang up his boots this season.

With Alan Quinlan also set to retire at the end of the season, Munster have lost three significant players for next year’s campaign.

Murphy won 71 caps for Munster scoring 12 tries, six of those in the Heineken Cup, and also scored a try against the All Blacks in Thomond Park in 2008.

He was capped for Ireland on four occasions.