The 18-year-old was leading the Drivers Championship going into today's Leinster Trophy meeting at Mondello Park.

His success was assured when main Championship rival Alan Ring went off on the fifth lap.

Murphy took it relatively easy from there to finish fourth behind race winner Tony Rogers to continue his ascent to the pinacle of Irish motorsport.

It's the New Ross driver's first season at this level after impressing in last year's Formula Europa Championship, alongside fellow Wexfordian Philip Kehoe, who finished second last season, and who is now based in the US.

Murphy's sensational debut season win has vindicated the decision of Sweeney Hopper Racing to take on the youngster at the end of last year.