Denis Hurley (rugby union)

Denis Hurley
Full name Denis Hurley
Date of birth 15 July 1984
Place of birth Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight 104 kg (16 st 5 lb, 229 lb)
School Castleknock College
St Munchin's College
University University College Cork
Notable relative(s) Gerry Hurley (father)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Fullback, Wing, Inside Centre
Professional / senior clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2006–present Munster 151 (70)
correct as of 12 Apr 2015.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2008–12
2009		 Wolfhounds
Ireland		 9
1		 (15)
(0)
correct as of 9 Feb 2015.

Denis Hurley (born 15 July 1984 in Cork, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish rugby union player for Munster in the Pro 12 and the European Rugby Champions Cup. He plays as a Fullback, Wing or Inside Centre.

Early life

He attended Castleknock College, Dublin and St Munchin's College, Limerick.

Munster

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]

Ireland

He made his Ireland debut against USA on 31 May 2009 in Santa Clara.[10]

He was also Ireland A's right-winger when they won the 2009 Churchill Cup.[11]

He played for Ireland Wolfhounds against Scotland A in January 2011,[12] and against England Saxons in February 2011.[13] His performances in these two fixtures earnt him a call-up into Ireland's 2011 Six Nations Championship squad, but he did not feature in any games.[14]

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.[15]

Hurley was nominated for the IRUPA Unsung Hero 2015 in April 2015.[16]

Personal life

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

References

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

External links