Irish · Dublin, Ireland · Born 8 June 1988Ireland's most celebrated women's rugby player of the modern era — a centre of exceptional pace and finishing ability whose contributions across the Six Nations and World Cup have made her the cornerstone of Irish women's rugby for over a decade.
Jenny Murphy was born on 30 May 1989 and grew up playing Gaelic football and soccer as a child, representing Ballymore Eustace GAA during her formative sporting years before a move to Kilcullen GAA in 2001. She later studied at St Mary's University, Twickenham, and transitioned into rugby union, playing club rugby for Old Belvedere and provincial rugby for Leinster. Murphy developed into a powerful and versatile centre for Ireland, representing her country at the highest level of the women's game across both the fifteens and sevens formats. She was part of Ireland's squad at the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup, and also competed at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, showcasing her adaptability across different formats of the sport. Beyond her playing career, Murphy has been active in growing the women's game at grassroots level, starting the inaugural Naas RFC Women's team as head coach in 2018 alongside fellow Leinster and Ireland underage player Adam Coyle, guiding the team to promotion from Leinster Women's League Division 4 to Division 3 in their first season. Murphy has also become a recognisable media personality in Irish rugby, working as a casual fill-in host for the House of Rugby podcast alongside former Munster and Ireland players, continuing her involvement in the sport through broadcasting and grassroots coaching.
Representing Ireland at multiple Rugby World Cups and being a long-serving international player for Irish women's rugby.
How They Played
Murphy is known for her pace and attacking prowess in the backline, particularly as a centre or wing. She combines strong ball-handling skills with the ability to break through defensive lines and create scoring opportunities for her team.
Lasting Impact
Murphy has been part of the generation that helped raise the profile of women's rugby in Ireland during a period of significant growth for the sport.
Career Honours
- Ireland Women's international x80+
- Six Nations medallist
- World Cup squad member
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Leinster Women | — | — |
 Ireland | — | 37 |
Irish Athletes