The GAA star who turned down €30,000 to play rugby for Leinster

A Carlow GAA star turned down €30,000 to play rugby for Leinster, claims former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman in his new book.

Carlow footballer, Brendan Murphy, was granted the opportunity to change codes by former Leinster coach Michael Cheika a number of years ago, Jackman reveals in his autobiography Blue Blood.

‘He might well have been on his way to making his Leinster debut by now if he had taken up Cheika’s amazing offer,’ writes former Leinster hooker Jackman.

Murphy was playing for AFL side Sydney Swans in 2007 when he was approached by Cheika. The 21-year-old was offered a two-year contract but declined and returned home last year to play football for Carlow.

The Irish Independent broke the story on Saturday.