Murphy Appointed To National Referees Panel

Former Munster player Frank Murphy has been promoted to the IRFU National Panel of referees after progressing quickly through the Inter Provincial Appointments System (IPAS).

The former scrum-half retired from professional rugby at the end of last season having represented Munster, Leicester and Connacht, where he played over 100 games, during a 13-year professional career.

The Crosshaven man was capped eight times for Ireland A, won a Premiership title with Leicester in 2007 and featured for the Tigers in the European Cup Final that same year.

Murphy started refereeing after completing a course with the Munster Association of Referees (MAR) in October and his first game as part of the National Panel will be the Ulster Bank League Division 2B clash between Armagh and Bruff on Saturday, February 28.

Owen Doyle, IRFU Director of Referees, said: "It is very encouraging that another elite player has taken up refereeing, and Frank brings his natural game instinct and knowledge to the role. Now that he has progressed very quickly onto the National Panels, we will watch his future performances and development very closely.”

Frank Murphy said: "Refereeing was initially a way of staying involved in the game. I'm enjoying it and still just trying to find my feet but it has been an enjoyable experience to date and will take each game as it comes.”

Former Women's international and grand slam winner, Joy Neville, has been promoted to IPAS on foot of some very strong performances in Munster.

Neville became the first woman to referee a SEAT Schools Senior Cup match last month with more on that here.