Con Murphy
Encyclopedia
Con Murphy is a former Irish
sportsperson who played hurling
with Cork in the 1940s, winning four All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
s with the county. He later served as President of the Gaelic Athletic Association
. In 2009 he was named in the Sunday Tribune
's list of the 125 Most Influential People In GAA History.
, County Cork
in 1922. The eldest of seven children(he is no relation to Con Murphy (RTE)
), he developed a strong love of Gaelic games, culture and language from a young age. His uncle was Seán McCarthy
, an administrator with the GAA, who also served as President of the association in the 1930s. Murphy was educated at the local national school and quickly joined the Valley Rovers
club in his area. He later attended the North Monastery
Christian Brothers
School in Cork. It was at this famous hurling
nursery that his natural skills and his love of the game were developed. Murphy quickly made the school’s hurling team and he won Harty Cup titles in 1940, 1941 and 1942. He captained the latter two teams and converted the final win into an All-Ireland Colleges Championship win.
and football
with Valley Rovers
. Murphy enjoyed little success at junior level, however, he played in the Cork SHC
with the divisional team Carrigdhoun
. He was full back on the team that lost to Glen Rovers
in the 1945 county final.
title before later collecting his very first All-Ireland
title following a win over Dublin
. In 1943 Murphy collected another Munster medal as well as a second All-Ireland title following an emphatic victory over Antrim
. It was the first time in the history of the championship that a team from Ulster
had made it to the final. In 1944 Cork were hoping to capture an unprecedented fourth All-Ireland title in-a-row. On the other hand, Murphy was hoping to make it a personal hat trick of Munster and All-Ireland medals. Once again Cork retained their provincial title and subsequently defeated Dublin
in the All-Ireland final. Murphy had completed his own three-in-a-row.
In 1945 Cork lost their first round game in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship
, however, they returned in 1946 with Murphy winning his fourth Munster title. This was later converted into a fourth All-Ireland victory for Murphy, following a huge win over Kilkenny
. In 1947 Murphy captured his fifth Munster medal. Cork’s opponents in the All-Ireland final were Kilkenny
yet again. In a final that has been described as the greatest hurling game of all-time Cork lost to Kilkenny
by a single point.
In 1948 Murphy claimed his sole National Hurling League
title. He also won Railway Cup medals with Munster
final of 1949.
, Murphy took over as Secretary of the County Board, one of the most difficult but prestigious of posts in the GAA. He held this position until 1973. In the mid 1980s Murphy served as Chairman of the Cork County Board.
in Cork in 1976, which he played a big part in the construction of. He also campaigned to the British government on the behalf of Crossmaglen Rangers
, whose pitch had been occupied by the British army
. During his tenure as President Murphy also had the privilege of presenting the Liam McCarthy Cup
to three different Cork men in succession as Cork completed a famous three-in-a-row of All-Ireland hurling victories.
. He served as a member of the RTÉ
Authority in the early 1980s, and was awarded the freedom of Cork in 1995. He still had a stranglehold on many aspects of Cork GAA, and led the campaign to keep Croke Park closed to Soccer and Rugby when the Clubs of Cork wanted Croke Park open while Landsdowne Road was being redeveloped. Murphy died on 29 April 2007.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson who played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with Cork in the 1940s, winning four All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
s with the county. He later served as President of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Presidents of the Gaelic Athletic Association
The role of President of Gaelic Athletic Association has existed since the foundation of the GAA . The current president of the GAA is Christy Cooney. The role of President involves representing the GAA in Ireland and across the world...
. In 2009 he was named in the Sunday Tribune
Sunday Tribune
The Sunday Tribune was an Irish Sunday broadsheet newspaper published by Tribune Newspapers plc. It was edited in its final years by Nóirín Hegarty, who changed both the tone and the physical format of the newspaper from broadsheet to tabloid. Former editors include Conor Brady, Vincent Browne,...
's list of the 125 Most Influential People In GAA History.
Early life
Con Murphy was born in InnishannonInnishannon
Innishannon or Inishannon , is a large village on the main Cork–Bandon road in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. Situated on the River Bandon, the village has rapidly grown in recent years due to its proximity to Cork, and has now become a dormitory town for city workers.The...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
in 1922. The eldest of seven children(he is no relation to Con Murphy (RTE)
Con Murphy (RTE)
Cornelius 'Con' Murphy is an Irish sports presenter, working primarily on Raidió Teilifís Éireann radio and television....
), he developed a strong love of Gaelic games, culture and language from a young age. His uncle was Seán McCarthy
Sean McCarthy
Sean McCarthy , a Finuge, County Kerry, Ireland native, was an Irish folk song writer. He was born one of 10 children, on 5 July 1923. He penned some of Irelands favourite ballads including "Shanagolden" and "In Shame"....
, an administrator with the GAA, who also served as President of the association in the 1930s. Murphy was educated at the local national school and quickly joined the Valley Rovers
Valley Rovers
Valley Rovers GAA Club is a vibrant and successful Gaelic Athletic Association club in the parish of Innishannon in Co. Cork, Ireland. Formed in 1919 when the two teams in the parish, Innishannon and Knockavilla, came together. The club fields teams in hurling, Gaelic football, Camogie and Ladies'...
club in his area. He later attended the North Monastery
The North Monastery
The North Monastery is a collection of primary, secondary and a Gaelcholáiste schools located at Our Lady's Mount, Cork City, Republic of Ireland.-History:...
Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
School in Cork. It was at this famous hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
nursery that his natural skills and his love of the game were developed. Murphy quickly made the school’s hurling team and he won Harty Cup titles in 1940, 1941 and 1942. He captained the latter two teams and converted the final win into an All-Ireland Colleges Championship win.
Club
Between 1936 and 1956 Murphy played junior club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with Valley Rovers
Valley Rovers
Valley Rovers GAA Club is a vibrant and successful Gaelic Athletic Association club in the parish of Innishannon in Co. Cork, Ireland. Formed in 1919 when the two teams in the parish, Innishannon and Knockavilla, came together. The club fields teams in hurling, Gaelic football, Camogie and Ladies'...
. Murphy enjoyed little success at junior level, however, he played in the Cork SHC
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
with the divisional team Carrigdhoun
Carrigdhoun GAA
Carrigdhoun GAA is one of the eight baronies or Gaelic Athletic Association divisions that make up Cork. The division is made up of eleven Gaelic Athletic Association teams, making it one of the smaller divisions....
. He was full back on the team that lost to Glen Rovers
Glen Rovers GAA
Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-Colours:...
in the 1945 county final.
Inter-county
By the early 1940s Murphy’s hurling talent had come to the attention of the Cork inter-county selectors. In 1942 he won his first MunsterMunster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title before later collecting his very first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
title following a win over Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
. In 1943 Murphy collected another Munster medal as well as a second All-Ireland title following an emphatic victory over Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
. It was the first time in the history of the championship that a team from Ulster
Ulster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
had made it to the final. In 1944 Cork were hoping to capture an unprecedented fourth All-Ireland title in-a-row. On the other hand, Murphy was hoping to make it a personal hat trick of Munster and All-Ireland medals. Once again Cork retained their provincial title and subsequently defeated Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
in the All-Ireland final. Murphy had completed his own three-in-a-row.
In 1945 Cork lost their first round game in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
, however, they returned in 1946 with Murphy winning his fourth Munster title. This was later converted into a fourth All-Ireland victory for Murphy, following a huge win over Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
. In 1947 Murphy captured his fifth Munster medal. Cork’s opponents in the All-Ireland final were Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
yet again. In a final that has been described as the greatest hurling game of all-time Cork lost to Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
by a single point.
In 1948 Murphy claimed his sole National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
title. He also won Railway Cup medals with Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
Referee
As his playing career drew to a close Murphy continued to serve as a referee. He was regarded as a top class referee and among the games he adjudicated at were the All-Ireland senior finals of 1948 and 1950, the All-Ireland junior final of 1949, the National League finals of 1947 and 1952, as well as the 1949 Munster final. Murphy also refereed Cork SHC finals as well as the Tipperary SHCTipperary Senior Hurling Championship
The Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Championship is an annual club competition between the top Tipperary hurling clubs...
final of 1949.
Cork County Board
Following his retirement from inter-county hurling Murphy served with distinction as a member of the Cork County Board of the GAA. In the early 1950s he held the positions of Vice Chairman and Treasurer. In 1956, following the death of Seán Óg MurphySeán Óg Murphy
Jackie 'Seán Óg' Murphy was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1915 until 1929. Murphy captained Cork to the All-Ireland title in 1926 and 1928...
, Murphy took over as Secretary of the County Board, one of the most difficult but prestigious of posts in the GAA. He held this position until 1973. In the mid 1980s Murphy served as Chairman of the Cork County Board.
President of the GAA
In 1976 Murphy became President of the Gaelic Athletic Association, a role which he held until 1978. During his three-year term as President there were many significant developments, such as the official opening of the 50,000-seat Páirc Uí ChaoimhPáirc Uí Chaoimh
Páirc Uí Chaoimh is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in the Ballintemple area of Cork in Ireland, where major hurling and Gaelic football matches are played. It is the home of Cork GAA...
in Cork in 1976, which he played a big part in the construction of. He also campaigned to the British government on the behalf of Crossmaglen Rangers
Crossmaglen Rangers
Crossmaglen Rangers G.A.C is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Armagh, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. They cater for Gaelic football and camogie. Their home football ground is St. Oliver Plunkett Park which was opened in 1959...
, whose pitch had been occupied by the British army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. During his tenure as President Murphy also had the privilege of presenting the Liam McCarthy Cup
Liam McCarthy Cup
The MacCarthy Perpetual Challenge Cup is a trophy awarded annually by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the hurling team that wins the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.-The trophy:...
to three different Cork men in succession as Cork completed a famous three-in-a-row of All-Ireland hurling victories.
Retirement
In retirement Murphy continued to have a keen interest in the playing of and the administration of Gaelic gamesGaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
. He served as a member of the RTÉ
RTE
RTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
Authority in the early 1980s, and was awarded the freedom of Cork in 1995. He still had a stranglehold on many aspects of Cork GAA, and led the campaign to keep Croke Park closed to Soccer and Rugby when the Clubs of Cork wanted Croke Park open while Landsdowne Road was being redeveloped. Murphy died on 29 April 2007.