Murphy featured prominently throughout the underage ranks of the club, but ultimately decided to focus solely on rugby in recent years and this has paid significant dividends for the Shannon RFC star.

He has played some part in all four games that the Ireland U20s have played in this year’s Six Nations and has also been selected at No 8 for their final round clash with Scotland at Virgin Media Park tomorrow evening (kick-off 7pm).

“I played GAA pretty much until two years ago. My Dad played rugby, he’s from Malahide. He would have played around Malahide. When he came into Limerick, he played a bit with Young Munster,” Murphy added.

“I started with Shannon as early as I can remember really. I went to school in Limerick, in Ardscoil Ris and then just [played] through Munster and all that way through then.

“I wasn’t ever the greatest hurler. I always enjoyed it with the lads because they were the lads I grew up with, but rugby was pretty much always on my mind as my first sport.”

While a third consecutive Grand Slam is ruled out of the equation, Murphy has played a big part in ensuring Ireland are still in contention for another Six Nations title at this grade.

With the game seemingly drifting away from his side, Murphy dotted down for a stoppage-time try in their gripping round four encounter against England at the Recreation Ground in Bath last Friday.

A routine Sean Naughton conversion meant the teams were ultimately inseparable in The Rec (32-32 was the final scoreline) and this leaves Richie Murphy’s men a single point adrift of their English counterparts in advance of tomorrow night’s action.

Though this was a big moment for Murphy, he did his best to downplay his own role in what could yet prove to be one of the most pivotal moments in this year’s Championship.

“When we were on the pitch we knew we were going to score, it was just a matter of who it was. I was just the one who got lucky, after a few carries close to the line.”

In order to leapfrog England and get their hands on top spot in the Championship for a third successive year, Ireland may well require a bonus point victory in Cork and hope that England don’t match this result in their duel with France at Stade du Hameau in Pau.

However, given they have no control over what happens in the latter game, Murphy insisted Ireland can only concentrate on their own showdown against the Scots.

“This week we’re focusing on ourselves. Making sure we get everything right and just do as much as we can on the pitch really,” Murphy added.