Gerry Murphy (rugby union, born 1926)

Gerry Murphy
Full nameJohn Gervase Maurice Walker Murphy
Born(1926-08-20)20 August 1926
Bangor, Northern Ireland
Died7 January 2014(2014-01-07) (aged 87)
Norfolk, England
SchoolMethodist College Belfast
UniversityTrinity College Dublin
OccupationClergy
Rugby union career
Position Fullback
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1951–58 Ireland 6 (5)

Canon John Gervase Maurice Walker Murphy LVO (20 August 1926 — 7 January 2014) was an army chaplain and international rugby union player from Northern Ireland.[1]

Born in Bangor, County Down, Murphy attended Methodist College Belfast and Trinity College Dublin, in between serving in the Royal Ulster Rifles. He played rugby as a fullback for Ireland while a curate in Lurgan, with appearances against the Springboks and All Blacks amongst his six caps.[2]

Murphy became a Royal Army chaplain in 1955. After 22 years as a chaplain, Murphy was appointed rector of the Norfolk parish of Ranworth and Rural Dean of Blofield. He was later Domestic chaplain to the Queen.[3]

In the 1987 New Year Honours, Murphy was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.[4]

See also

References