Brian Murphy

Brian Murphy (born 21 July 1982) is an Irish hurler who plays as a full-back for the Cork senior team.

Born in Rathcormac, County Cork, Murphy first played competitive hurling whilst at school in St. Colman's College.

He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team, before later lining out with the under-21 and intermediate sides.

He was an unused substitute during Cork's unsuccessful championship campaign in 1999.

On 10 May 2000 Murphy made his debut for the Cork minors at right corner-back in a 1–9 to 0–10 defeat of Clare.

He later won a Munster medal following a 2–19 to 1–10 trouncing of Lmerick.

Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Galway providing the opposition.

An exciting hour of hurling followed, however, Murphy's side were defeated by 2–19 to 4–10.

In 2001 he won a Harty Cup medal following a defeat of St. Flannan's College, Ennis.

The subsequent All-Ireland decider saw Gort Community School providing the opposition.

A narrow 2–10 to 2–7 victory gave Murphy an All-Ireland medal.

Murphy made his Cork under-21 debut on 9 July 2002, however, his two seasons with the team ended without success.

He made his senior debut in the 2003 National Hurling League.

Murphy went on to play a key part for Cork during a successful period for the team, and has won two All-Ireland medals and two Munster medals.

Murphy was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.

At club level Murphy has won a set of Munster and championship medals with Bride Rovers in the intermediate grade.

Regarded as one of the key members of the Cork defence for over a decade, Murphy has won one All-Star award while he also won the All Stars Young Hurler of the Year award in his debut season.

Throughout his career Murphy made 46 championship appearances for Cork.

As a member of the Cork Institute of Technology senior hurling team, Murphy lined out in the final of the Fitzgibbon Cup on 1 March 2003.

Waterford Institute of Technology provided the opposition and claimed a comprehensive 0–13 to 0–7 defeat of Murphy's side.

Murphy plays his club hurling and Gaelic football with Bride Rovers and has enjoyed much success.

In 2003 he lined out in the final of the intermediate championship.

Inniscarra provided the opposition and, despite being held on a tight rein in the opening quarter, Bride Rovers powered to the front with a goal in the seventeenth minute and never looked back.

A 1–15 to 1–5 victory gave Murphy a championship medal.

Bride Rovers later represented Cork in the provincial series of games and even reached the final against Kilruane MacDonagh's of Tipperary.

A strong wind made conditions very difficult, however, Bride Rovers triumphed by 0–14 to 0–11 giving Murphy a Munster medal.

On 16 July 2003 Murphy was included on the Cork intermediate hurling team for the provincial decider against Waterford.

On a rain-soaked evening, the Rebels regained the provincial crown and Murphy collected a Munster medal following a 2–12 to 0–11 victory.

Murphy was at left corner-back for the subsequent All-Ireland final meeting with Kilkenny.

An exciting game of hurling ensued, however, at the final whistle both sides were level.

A period of extra-time finally produced a winner, as Cork secured a narrow 1–21 to 0–23 victory.

The win gave Murphy an All-Ireland medal in that grade.

Murphy made his senior debut in a National Hurling League game against Waterford in 2003.

He was later included on Cork's championship panel, and was a non-playing substitute as Cork defeated Waterford to take the Munster crown but eventually lost the All-Ireland to Kilkenny.

On 28 September 2008 Murphy played in the final of the senior championship as Bride Rovers reached the decider for the first time in their history.

A goal by Robert O'Driscoll of Sarsfield's with seven minutes of normal time left proved the decisive score as Bride Rovers were narrowly defeated by 2–14 to 2–13.

Murphy first came to prominence on inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor hurling team.

He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 11 March 2014.

On 26 May 2015 Murphy announced his return to the Cork senior panel.

During his secondary schooling at St. Colman's College, Fermoy, Murphy enjoyed much success on the hurling fields.