Denis Hurley (rugby union)

Denis Hurley (born 15 July 1984) is a former Irish rugby union player, who represented Munster and Ireland. He played as a fullback, wing or centre.

Denis Hurley
Date of birth (1984-07-15) 15 July 1984 (age 40)
Place of birthCork, Ireland
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight100 kg (16 st; 220 lb)
SchoolCastleknock College
St Munchin's College
UniversityUniversity College Cork
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing, Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Cork Constitution ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2016 Munster 167 (85)
Correct as of 10 January 2016
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2012 Ireland Wolfhounds 9 (15)
2009 Ireland 1 (0)
Correct as of 18 June 2015

Early life

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Hurley attended Castleknock College, Dublin, St Patrick's Classical School in Navan and St Munchin's College, Limerick.

Munster

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Hurley made his Munster debut against Llanelli Scarlets in May 2006, in a Celtic League fixture.[1] He sprung to notice when he was preferred to Shaun Payne at fullback in Munster's 2007–08 Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Gloucester.[2] He stayed at fullback for the semi-final against Saracens,[3] and started in the 2008 Heineken Cup Final against Toulouse, which Munster won 16–13.[4]

Hurley was part of the Munster team that won the Celtic League in the 2009–09 season, and again in the 2010–11 season. He also started for Munster in their historic 15–6 victory against Australia on 16 November 2010.[5]

Hurley signed a new two-year contract with Munster in March 2012.[6] He was on the wing for Munster A in their 31–12 2011–12 British and Irish Cup Final victory against Cross Keys on 27 April 2012.[7] Hurley signed a one-year contract extension with Munster in April 2014, which will see him remain with the province until at least June 2015.[8] He signed a further one-year extension with Munster in January 2015.[9] Hurley captained Munster in the 2015 Pro12 Grand Final against Glasgow Warriors on 30 May 2015.[10] In May 2016, Hurley announced he was leaving Munster.[11]

Ireland

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Hurley made his Ireland debut against the United States on 31 May 2009 in Santa Clara.[12]

Hurley was also Ireland A's right-winger when they won the 2009 Churchill Cup.[13] He played for Ireland Wolfhounds against Scotland A in January 2011,[14] and against England Saxons in February 2011.[15] His performances in these two fixtures earned him a call-up into Ireland's 2011 Six Nations Championship squad, but he did not feature in any games.[16]

Hurley was selected in the Ireland Wolfhounds squad for their games against the England Saxons in January 2012, which again earned him a call-up to the full Irish squad, for the 2012 Six Nations Championship.[17] Hurley was nominated for the IRUPA Unsung Hero 2015 in April 2015.[18]

Personal life

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His father, Gerry Hurley, was a backup for the famous Munster team that defeated the All Blacks 12–0 in October 1978.

References

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  1. ^ "Llanelli Scarlets 18–6 Munster Rugby". munsterrugby.ie. 9 May 2006. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Munster Through To Their 7th Heineken Semi-final". munsterrugby.ie. 6 April 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Brave Munster Battle Through". munsterrugby.ie. 28 April 2008. Archived from the original on 30 September 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Munster Champions of Europe". munsterrugby.ie. 24 May 2008. Archived from the original on 30 September 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Class of 2010 Excel". munsterrugby.ie. 17 November 2010. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Ryan Signs on For Two More Years". munsterrugby.ie. 13 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Munster Prove Too Strong". munsterrugby.ie. 27 April 2012. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  8. ^ "Contract News". munsterrugby.ie. 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  9. ^ "Contract Update". munsterrugby.ie. 30 January 2015. Archived from the original on 30 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  10. ^ "Munster Well Beaten As Warriors Claim Title". munsterrugby.ie. 31 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Denis Hurley announces Munster departure with poignant statement". independent.ie. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Ireland Finish Tour With Four-Try Triumph". irishrugby.ie. 31 May 2009. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  13. ^ "Ireland 'A' Cap Off Stunning Season With Churchill Cup Success". irishrugby.ie. 21 June 2009. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  14. ^ "Ireland Wolfhounds Fail To Build on Solid First Half". irishrugby.ie. 28 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  15. ^ "Two-Try Wolfhounds Enjoy Ravenhill Success". irishrugby.ie. 4 February 2011. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  16. ^ "Players Added To Ireland Squad". irishrugby.ie. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  17. ^ "Ireland And O2 Ireland Wolfhounds Squads Announced". irishrugby.ie. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  18. ^ "IRUPA Nominations For O'Connell, Murray, Hurley & Jones". munsterrugby.ie. 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
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