Noel Arthur Augustine Murphy was born in Cork on 22 February 1937 and educated at Christian Brothers College before working in insurance. He was the son of N.F.Murphy [q.v.]. He played at wing-forward for the Constitution club in Cork and between 1958 and 1969 he gained 41 caps for Ireland and was captain in five internationals. In two British Isles' tours to Australasia in 1959 and 1966 he played in a total of 37 matches, including eight tests, and was assistant manager and coach of the Lions in South Africa in 1980. He captained the Barbarians on four occasions: against Hartlepool Rovers in 1965 and, in 1967, against Australia, Cardiff and Swansea. Noel Murphy was president of the IRFU in 1998/99.