Official RBS 6 Nations Rugby : Murphy still on a high after Ireland captaincy

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Geordan Murphy took the captain's armband for the tour match against New Zealand Maori

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Murphy still on a high after Ireland captaincy

17 August 2010, 7:00 am

By Sportsbeat

Leicester full-back Geordan Murphy may have won every prize there is in the club game but the 32-year-old maintains captaining Ireland against the New Zealand Maori still ranks as his proudest moment of his stellar career.

During his 13-year spell at Welford Road, Murphy has accumulated seven Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups although his talents were frequently ignored by previous Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan.

But Declan Kidney showed no hesitation in handing him the captaincy for the tour match against the Maori which Ireland lost 31-28.

Even that though could not take the gloss off Murphy’s day as he prepares for another title charge with Leicester.

He said: “It doesn’t really get any better than that – the result wasn’t what we wanted but it’s a massive honour for me and something I’ll never forget.

“I’ve been captain before but this was a different experience for me – I think sometimes there is too much emphasis placed on the captaincy but that doesn’t take anything away from getting it.

“It was a good tour to be on even if the results didn’t go our way. But I’m just looking forward to getting started with Leicester again now.

“Pre-season has been good again and I think we all want to get playing again. What happened last season and in the summer is over now and we’ve got to look forward again.”