Brophy grew up in Clontarf with a keen interest in several sports and attended school in O'Connell School, where he was a keen athlete and member of Ronnie Delaney's relay team there.[2] He subsequently attended Blackrock College. In 1954, he was Leinster Schools Athletic champion in both 100 yards and 220 yards[3] and also took the same titles in the Irish Schools Athletics Championship.[4] That same year, on St. Patrick's Day, Brophy captained Blackrock College to victory over Belvedere, captained by future Irish rugby teammate Tony O'Reilly, in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup (11–3).[5]
Brophy graduated with a B.Comm from UCD. In athletics, Brophy had five appearances for UCD in Track & Field Championships in Ireland, taking gold in both the 100 yards and 220 yards in 1956 and again in 1960.[6]
In rugby, Brophy, along with teammate Bill Mulcahy, became the first UCD players to represent the British and Irish Lions (then known as the British Lions), during their tour to Australia and New Zealand.[7]
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.[8] His last test for Ireland was against Australia during Ireland's tour there in May 1967. Ireland won the match 5–11.[9]
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.[10]
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,[11] and into the Guinness Hall of Fame in 2011.[12]
Brophy was also named in UCD's 'Team of the Century'.[13]
Brophy was a regular golfer, playing in Portmarnock, Foxrock and Royal Porthcawl. He died on 10 March 2023, at the age of 87.[14]
