Murphy to retire from professional rugby

Munster centre Barry Murphy has announced today that he is to retire from professional rugby following a spate of serious injuries.

The former UL Bohemians flyer has been missing for most of the current season due to numerous injuries and the most recent, a metatarsal problem in his left foot, has been the final straw.

The 28-year-old burst onto the Munster scene in the 2005/06 season and scored a memorable try against Sale Sharks at Thomond Park in the pool stages.

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

It would be the start of many injury problems for the talented three-quarter. It is ironic that Murphy’s team-mate Ian Dowling has also decided to hang up his boots as both players emerged in Declan Kidney’s new-look Munster side in the same period.

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 Stadium in 2008. He was capped for his country on four occasions.

Speaking about his retirement today, Murphy said: “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.”