It was a momentous and unforgettable day for Irish rugby, and Irish sport in general. November 5th 2016, Soldier Field, Chicago. Ireland 40 -29 New Zealand. Jordi Murphy dotted down Ireland's first try after 10 minutes, steadying the ship. But 15 minutes later he would be stretchered off, watching the nerve-jangling final 10 minutes on crutches from the sideline.
International rugby: Ireland go 10-5 up against New Zealand through Jordi Murphy try, converted by Johnny Sexton (11 mins)
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) November 5, 2016
5 months on since surgery to repair the damaged knee, Murphy is yet to feature in Leinster's season. He says that he's still unsure when he will return;
"I'm hitting all the markers, and going to see the specialist again in two or three weeks. That'll give me a better indication on how things are going. I don't have a definitive timeline on return to play. Obviously I'd love to play before the end of the season, but if that's not possible then I've just got to look at this pre-season coming up and just really hit the new season with a bang."
The eastern province currently sit on top of the Pro 12, home semi-final secured, and face a tough trip to Lyon this Sunday to face Clermont Auvergne in the Champion's Cup semi-final. Murphy also missed Ireland's Six Nations campaign in full. He says he finds it hard to watch on at such a crucial stage in the season;
"It's tough all season, but you're kind of coming into the big quarter finals and semi finals of Europe and now the Pro 12, brilliant to have that home semi final. It iss tough, obviously, to be sitting in the stands, injured or not. But look, it's the way it's gone for me, I've had to accept it and just row in behind the boys as much as I can."
Thank you very much for all the messages of support. Tough news to take after what was an incredible weekend. Now onto the road to recoveryđź‘Ť
— Jordi Murphy (@Jordimurphy) November 7, 2016
Murphy was speaking at the launch of the Cadbury #BoostYourAwareness Touch Rugby Blitz which will take place on Friday May 19th in Lansdowne RFC in aid of Aware.
