Ennis’ Cormac Murphy joins Love Island cast

Love Island has proven to be a hit with TV audiences in Ireland and the UK four years since it’s revamp leading to the creation of an American version which now stars a Clare man.

Cormac Murphy of Ballybeg, Ennis joined the cast of the first season of the USA version on Wednesday which premiered on July 9th.

Since 2016 he has lived in New York City working as a male model and also with The Greene Room, a promotion and events agency based in the Big Apple founded by Sligo native Patrick Greene.

Prior to the States, Murphy lived in Australia for two years and previously admitted New York “stood out” as he attempted to make his mark in the male modelling industry, one in which he felt opportunities in Ireland especially Ennis were quite limited.

Contestants have already coupled up but the twenty six year old had not been at the Fiji villa for this part of the show.

For the duration of the show, Cormac like other cast members will not have access to social media, a post on his Instagram account yesterday said, “The cat is out of the bag. Our boy has entered the villa. Get ready for some of that famous Irish charm”.

During his brief cameo on Tuesday’s show, the promoter and former St Munchins student said, “If I went to college I’d have a degree in women, I don’t think they know what’s coming, I’m going to turn some heads, I’m here on Love Island and I’m ready for love”.

From a rugby background, Murphy has four brothers and one sister, his brother Liam Óg has been capped for the USA having previously played for Young Munster.

In the latest UK series, Longford’s Maura Higgins has received widespread acclaim for viewers with a massive increase in her social media following with several opportunities awaiting her when her time at the Spain villa comes to an end.

Such an outcome would be very positive for Cormac. Love Island USA is broadcast on CBS to millions of viewers and will run until August 7th, it will also air on Virgin Media Two in Ireland and ITVBe in the UK.

Men’s fashion photographer, Brian Jamie once referred to Murphy as the “Irish Zac Efron”.