Niall Brophy


Niall Henry Brophy is a retired Irish rugby union player. He represented University College Dublin R.F.C., Blackrock College R.F.C., Leinster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. He played as a Winger.

UCD

In 1959, Brophy, along with teammate Bill Mulcahy, became the first UCD players to represent the British and Irish Lions, during their tour to Australia and New Zealand.

Ireland

Brophy made his Ireland debut against France on 26 January 1957, during the 1957 Five Nations Championship. He scored his first try for Ireland in this game. His last test for Ireland was against Australia during Ireland's tour there in May 1967. Ireland won the match 5-11.

British and Irish Lions

Brophy received his first Lions call-up in 1959 for the tour to Australia and New Zealand, but was not capped on this tour because of injury. He was called up again for the 1962 tour to South Africa, and this time won 2 Lions caps.

After rugby

Brophy was President of the Leinster Branch in 1981-82, Blackrock College RFC in 1985-86 and the IRFU in 1997-98. He was inducted into the Rugby Writers of Ireland Hall of Fame in 2003, and into the Guinness Hall of Fame in 2011.
He was also named in UCD's 'Team of the Century'.