Murphy, Con
June 19, 2007
The late Con Murphy
The GAA fraternity in Cork are still trying to come to terms with the passing of Con Murphy.
Mr Murphy passed away at St Finbarrs Hospital surrounded by his wife Theresa and his four children, Noel, Aine, Brendan and Maura. He was aged 84 years.
One of the most respected members of the GAA, Con Murphy gave a lifetime of service to the association both as a player, referee and administrator and held the highest position of President of the association from 1976 to 1978 during which he had the honour of presenting the Liam McCarthy Cup to three Cork winning captains, something he always said were the highlights of his presidency.
The thousands who attended his removal and funeral was testament to the high esteem in which he was held both inside and outside his beloved Cork.
Con Murphy was born in Toureen, a few miles on the Cork side of Innishannon on October 28, 1922. He was the eldest of seven children, four boys and three girls. From an early age he took a great interest in Gaelic games, which is understandable given that his uncle Sean McCarthy, his mother's brother, was GAA president from 1932 to 1935.
Con was a life long member of the Valley Rovers club, and despite several offers to transfer, never left his native hearth. As far as he was concerned this was where the GAA had its roots, its strengths, in the little crossroad country clubs that stretched from Fair Head in Antrim to Mizen Head in Cork, from Howth to Achill.
His greatest love was hurling and after finishing primary school he attended the North Mon where he honed and perfected the skills of the game. He once admitted that he was fortunate to be one of a super crop of young hurlers attending the Mon between 1936 and 1942, captaining the team in 1941 and 1942.
His hurling prowess hadn't gone unnoticed by the county selectors and while still a student at the Mon he was picked on the Cork Senior hurling team in 1942 and won the first of four All-Ireland medals. The other years were 1943, 1944, 1946 and was on the losing team to Kilkenny in the 1947 in a final he often referred to as one of the great All-Irelands.
He won a National Hurling League medal in 1948 as well as four Railway Cup medals with Munster. Hurling his playing career which spanned 20 years from 1936 to 1956, he played minor and junior hurling and football for Valley Rovers, senior hurling with divisional side Carrigdhoun and was full back on the team which failed to Glen Rovers in the 1945 county final.
While still a player Con became a highly respected referee officiating at the 1948 and 1950 All-Ireland junior final, National League final as well as the Tipperary county final the same year.
The organisation and everything it stood for was bred in Con Murphy's bones and while still a teenager he attended the Carrigdhoun convention as a Rovers representative and in 1948 was elected chairman of that body at 26 years of age.
He went on to represent Carrigdhoun at county board level, and became a member of the executive in 1947 a position he held up to 1976 when he resigned on assuming the Presidency of the association.
At county board level he quickly established a reputation for his honesty and fair mindedness and served as vice chairman from 1951 to 1953 when he took over as treasurer on the death of Seamus Long. He remained in that position until 1956 when he took over a secretary following the sudden death of Sean Og Murphy.
Over the next 20 years Conchur O 'Murchu became a household name among the GAA fraternity, not only in Cork but throughout the country. His diligence and commitment on behalf of his county knew no bounds.
One word that epitomises Con Murphy's relationship with the GAA is "service". Having given a generation of service with a commitment that was unequalled throughout the land, it was no surprise to anyone when he attained the highest office in the GAA when elected its President in 1976.
During the three year term he over saw the redevelopment of the old Athletic Grounds into Paric Ui Chaoimh having acted a secretary of the Grounds Committee, and June 6, 1976 was one of his proudest moments when, as President of the GAA, he officially opened the new grounds.
On completion of his presidency, he was elected chairman of the Cork county board a position he held for three years, before being elected as one of the county's delegates to the Munster Council, a position he held up on the time of his death.
Ever progressive and always planning for the future, Con Murphy played an -integral part in the setting up of the Cork County Minor Board in 1991 and served as its first chairman until 1994.
Con Murphy's list of achievements its endless. He served as a member of the RTE Authority from 1979 to 1985; was made a Freeman of the City in 1995. During his presidency he played an active role, often at great personal risk, in trying to get British forces our of the Crossmaglen club grounds, something he will never be forgotten for by the people of south Armagh.
Con Murphy's passing has robbed Cork and the GAA one of it's most famous sons, and as Gene Duffy (Crossmaglen Rangers Club) and a current member of the GAA Management Committee said during the troubles in Armagh, Con can stand and be recognised, and take his rightful place among the great Irishmen of Ireland.
by B Larkin (Irish Examiner)
It was our privilege to know the great Con Murphy. When the word integrity was coined, they had Con Murphy in mind. Total dedication to the GAA he loved, a lifetime of commitment at all levels and as modest an individual as you could ever hope to meet despite rising to the highest ranks in the association, Con will forever be remembered for his integrity.
At convention for many, many years we listened to Con expounding in every conceivable topic the GAA could produce. Yes, there were times when we wondered if he would ever end his speech but at all times his sincerity and total conviction were evident to all. He could speak on any GAA topic at the drop of a hat and his knowledge of the GAA was second to none. Many a time we conversed with him on the issue of Crossmaglen and the British army and he did all in his power to put an end to that unhappy situation.
Con, despite advancing in years, never lost his grip on GAA matters and worked as a County Board representative right to the end. He never stopped looking to the future and we had some good chats with him about the youth of today and what was needed to get them involved. If it had been possible to follow very suggestion he made, then every young lad in the country would be playing GAA today. He was instrumental in setting up the County Minor Board to stop the fall out of teenagers from our games and it will be a lasting legacy to him.
One topic I always agreed strongly with him on, and one that had him in much trouble with the big city clubs, was his advocating that no club should have a catchment area of more than 10,000 people if it were to function properly. He strongly believed that growing centre like Bishopstown and Ballincollig should be split into different clubs and its is unfortunate that his suggestions were never followed through.
Con had no time for messers, no time for people who caused hassle for hassle sake. There was an association to run, a job to be done and he knew only one way to do it. Black was black was white was white, and Con was never afraid to call a spade a spade. So strong was the respect for him that even his opponents accepted every viewpoint he had as being a genuine and sincere.
Strangely, our first encounter with Con Murphy was a rather negative one when he was instrumental in having a good Dohenys junior side dismissed from the county championship during the infamous Ned Roche case way back in 1964. He stood his ground on that one despite ridicule from the press because he believed the board was right and we grew up believing that Con Murphy was Dohenys' enemy number one.
It was many years later that we got to know the real Con Murphy and we have lost a man we loved to talk to, a gentleman whose ideas for the association were often well beyond his peers, a man who said what was in his mind if it was for the good of the association, a man who never evoked a bad comment from any opponent, a man whose integrity was legendary.
Kids these days make a habit of calling any good player a legend, totally misusing that word. You can use it for Con Murphy. He was a GAA legend, a Cork legend and a man whose company we always enjoyed. We last met Con at the Convention before Christmas when he was just our of hospital and was fighting to get his strength back. He did get back into harness again and he died as he would have wished, in harness. He will be sadly missed by all those privileged to know him. To his wife and family goes our deepest sympathy. We have lost a friend and a great Gael.
Ar dheis lamh De go raibh se.
Courtesy of the The Southern Star
5 May 2007
When Con Murphy, GAA president 1976 - 1978, passed to his eternal reward on Sunday, April 29th, at St Finbarr's Hospital, Cork, after a brief illness, the news cast a deep sadness throughout the world of the GAA and beyond, and it was so appropriately acknowledged with a minute's silence before the commencement of the National Hurling League final between Kilkenny and Waterford at Thurles in 2007.
Con was born in October 1933 in Toureen, the eldest child of Dan Murphy and Julia McCarthy. He was nephew of Sean McCarthy, GAA president 1932 - 1934. Having received his early education at Innishannon National School, he then moved to further his studies at the famed North Monastery CBS, between 1936 and 1942.
During that time Con won three Harty Cup medals, in 1940, '41 and '42, and was captain in '41 and '42. 1942 was to prove most memorable as he also led the Munster Colleges team to victory over Connacht, and on the same day donned the colours of Carrigdhoun for the first time.
That September Con won his first All-Ireland senior hurling at 19 years of age, his other All-Irelands being in 1943, '44 and '46, while he was also on the losing team of 1947. He also won a National League medal in 1948 and four Railway Cup medals with Munster. Con made his last appearance in a Cork jersey in 1951 in the Munster final, which Tipperary won.
At national level, while still a player, he refereed the 1948 and 1950 All-Ireland senior hurling finals, the 1949 All-Ireland junior final, and the 1947 and '52 National Hurling League finals. Con was also in charge of seven Cork senior hurling championship finals, as well as Munster finals.
During a 'This is your Life' type tribute to Con by the South East GAA Board in November 1987, his late brother Tim recalled an incident in a club game when he was sent to the line by the referee. The matter came before the SE Board, of which Con was chairman at that time. He duly passed sentence - "six months". During the course of his oration, the current president of the GAA, Mr Nicky Brennan, remarked that the Tipperary legend John Doyle, who was also present, had told him that Con was the only man to ever send him off. When it came to rules, there was no compromise with Con!
Con's outstanding contribution to Carrigdhoun hurling team met with cruel disappointment when, following great victories in the 1945 Cork county senior hurling championship, the South East side lost in the final to Glen Rovers.
However, Con's first loyalty in GAA lay with his club Valley Rovers. He played in the club colours for 20 years, and despite the lure of the big city clubs at the time, Con maintained an unswerving and passionate loyalty to his beloved Rovers. That loyalty, which started when he became his club's delegate to the SE Board when still a teenager, continued when he was elected chairman of Carrigdhoun at 26 years of age in 1948, a position he held until 1956.
He represented the division in the County Board from 1943-50 and was appointed to the GPC in 1947. he served as vice-chairman from 1951 to 1954; treasurer from 1954-56, and secretary from 1956 to 1974, as successor to SEan Og Murphy. In 1973, Cork County Board decided to appoint a full-time secretary, Mr Frank Murphy, but Con remained as hon. secretary, with special responsibility for the Pairc Ui Chaoimh development.
By now, his outstanding administrative ability and integrity were recognised at the highest level, firstly when he was selected to act on a committee which redrafted the Charter of the Association following the removal of the Ban, and eventually, on Easter Sunday, 'April 18th, 1976, at the Holy Family Convent Hall in Ennis, Con as elected the 25th president of the GAA and the fourth All-Ireland medallist to be so honoured.
During his presidency, Con made the GAA club the focal point of his endeavours. Amongst the high points of his term of office were when he performed the official opening of Paric Ui Chaoimh in 1976, at the Holy Family Convent Hall in Ennis, Con was elected the 25th president of the GAA and the fourth All-Ireland medalist to be so honoured.
During his presidency, Con made the GAA club the focal point of his endeavours. Amongst the high points of his term of office were when he performed the official opening of Paric Ui Chaoimh in 1976, and when he represented the Liam McCarthy Cup to the three Cork All-Ireland winning captains in 1976, 1977 and 1978.
He was almost unique in that he returned to administration following his term as president and in 1979 he was elected chairman of the County Board for a three-year term, before being elected as one of the county's delegates to the Munster Council, a position he held up to the time of his death. He also set up the Cork County Minor Board and was chairman of that now very progressive board in its infancy.
Also at national level, Con was highly involved with the Crossmaglen GAA Club, relating to the occupation of their grounds (Crossmaglen Rangers in Armagh) by the British Army. He was the leader of deputations to the British Government and also secured the assistance of our own Department of Foreign Affairs to help the club. Little wonder then that the members of the club posted a notice of condolence in the Irish Examiner. Con was very much loved and admired by the people of Crossmaglen and they were represented at both his removal and burial by former officers of the club, including their current Central Council delegate Gene Duffy.
Con was also a member of the RTE Authority from 1979 to 1985 and was made a Freeman of Cork City in 1995. At the time of his death, Con was president of the cork County Board, South East Board and Valley Rovers Club.
On Monday evening, April 30th 2007, flanked by a guard of honour of members of Valley Rovers GAA Club, the remains of Con Murphy were shouldered from "the corner" in Innishannon by Valley Rovers GAA Club members, South East GAA Board officials, Croke Park officials, including director general Liam Mulvihill, and former president Paddy Buggy, to the gates of St Mary's Church, from where they were then borne by his family, via a guard of honour comprising boys and girls from Valley Rovers under age, the camogie and ladies under age sections, all attired in the green and white jerseys of their club.
The cortege was received at the church by Canon Miceal ODalaigh, PP, Church of the Real Presence, Bishopstown, Rev Fr John Kingston, PP, Innishannon, the Archbishop of Cashel, and patron of the GAA, Dr Dermot Clifford, together with priests from local parishes. The coffin was draped with a Cork flag, a Valley Rovers flag and jersey, and a GAA flag.
At the funeral Mass they came from the four green fields of Ireland to pay their last respects to Con and a final and fond farewell to a legend and one of the most outstanding and respected presidents of the GAA. The attendance included the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, Lord Mayor of Cork, Michael Ahern; the Taoiseach was represented by his Aide-de-Camp, Commandant Michael Murray. Eighteen priests, including Fr John Kingston, PP, Innishannon and Conon Miceal O Dalaigh, chief celebrant, were joined on the altar by Bishop Buckley.
Also present were Mr Joe Gavin, Cork City Manager, as well as members of the Crossmaglen GAA Club, Armagh, and public representatives, as well as former presidents of the GAA, PAddy McFlynn, Joe McDonagh, Jack Boothman and Sean Kelly, and the current president Nicky Brennan, along with GAA officials from the four Provincial Councils and County Boards of Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford and Cork, as well as GAA club officials and members of the association in the city and county. Also present from the world of rugby was former Irish international and IRFU official, Noel Murphy.
Chief celebrant, Canon Miceal O Dalaigh, speaking at the Mass, said: "after religion and family, Con loved the GAA. Since he was a garsun, Con's life had been the GAA and for Con the GAA was far more than a sporting organisation, it was part of the of the family. We all stayed in it together because we all shared the same beliefs and aspirations of the noble organisations. Con loved Cork and Ireland. Con knew only one Ireland, an Ireland without partition, an Ireland from Fair Head in Antrim to the Mizen Head in Cork."
Continuing, the canon praised Con for the immense work he did to get the British Army our of Crossmaglen GAA grounds and he was delighted to see their officials at the funeral. He also encouraged Con's grandchildren to live the life their grandfather did and to hold our his ideals.
Cork County Board secretary Frank Murphy, during the course of a wonderful and eloquent tribute to Con, said: "It is appropriate that Coiste Chontae Chorcai, a board which Concubhair served with un answering loyalty and dedication for a lifetime, should say a simple buiochas to a man who gave magnificent service to the board and the association at large since he became a member of the County Board executive in 1947.
"His contribution to the association in this county is truly phenomenal. Particularly impressive was his magnificent service as a voluntary county secretary in this large county for 17 years, while serving theSoutheren Health Board in his professional career.
"His dedication and unsparing work was awe-inspiring . Today we salute him, thank him for his sterling service and recall with gratitude the contribution made during that era by his gentle lady Tess.
"Con cubhair O Murchu was an inspirational leader, his idealism, his dedication, his enthusiasm, his integrity, his courage, his wise counsel provided us all with a pathway to the advancement of our association and the promotion of our games.
"His selfless giving of himself to the association that he loved and served so faithfully has left us with a monumental legacy of achievement.
"On behalf of the officials and members of the County Board and the association in general in this county, I extend, our deepest sympathy to Tess, Noel, Aine, Brendan, Maire and Dominic on the passing of this great man, and to thank you as a family for allowing us to share with you in his life - a life that shone like a beacon.
"A great adviser, a reliable confidant, sincere friend, we'll miss you greatly. We thank you sincerely and humbly for the immense contribution that you have made in shaping the destiny of our great association in this county.
"The evening sun may have sunken to rest, and no longer shed its golden light over the sea, we will forever remember, a Concubhair, how well he you sported and played, administered and promoted all the games of the Gael on the banks of you own lovely Lee."
Ar dheis lamh De go raibh do anam uasal dilis.
The funeral arrangements in Innishannon were handled in a dignified and well-organised manner by the Valley Rovers club. The club officers wish to thank everybody involved, including the Garda Siochana, all the stewards, Rev Fr John Kinston, PP, for his help and guidance, Innishannon House Hotel for the refreshments which they provided after the removal, and to the young members of the Valley Rovers hurling and football, camogie and ladies football clubs and their officials for the wonderful guard of honour they provided. We are sure Con would have been pleased and proud. The club would also like to acknowledge the help and assistance provided by the South East Board, County Board and Croke Park.
In the course of a full and very moving graveside oration, Mr Nicky Brennan, president of the GAA, paid a glowing tribute to his predecessor, and gave details of how much Con Murphy's life was interwoven with the association for the best part of three-quarters of a century.
After detailing much of Con's early involvement with the GAA in his native parish, division and county, Mr Brennan went on to say: "Throughout his tenure, he strove for perfection in everything he did. Uniquely, he would present Liam McCarthy Cup as president to three fellow county men on the steps of the Hogan Stand in 1976, 1977 and 1978. I didn't know him at the time, but on the third of those occasions, the first Sunday of September in 1978, I'd love to have climbed the famous steps and shaken his hand, but instead found myself on the losing side to that great Cork team.
"Having been the driving force behind the redevlopement of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, it must have been an exceptionally proud day for him in 1976 when he returned to the City as GAA president to perform the official opening of the grounds.
"Later, when I first met Con in GAA circles, I was absolutely in awe of the man. Well I remember his thoughtful contributions from the Congress floor when he was widely respected for his articulate manner.
"The understanding and knowledge he showed of every issue relevant to the association was truly astounding. For me, he was someone to look up to, someone who set the standards for what could be achieved. His dedication and durability as an administrator, his hunger for perfection endured even into his finals days.
"He had a wonderful instinct to recognise the right and fairest course of action. Indeed, one of his more famous acts in a disciplinary context came when he suspended a future Bishop for playing illegally in Cork! For Con, if he felt it as the right thing to do, it didnt matter who you were.
"One of his greatest campaigns was on behalf of the Crossmaglen Rangers Club in their struggle with the British Army and their occupation of part of the club's grounds. Con saw this as a truly great injustice and resolved to do all in his power to assist the club in their fight.
"It is fitting that in the weeks preceding his death, the British Army finally began to move our of Crossmaglen leaving the club what was rightfully theirs. This would have given Con terrific pleasure and I'm sure he rests was today in the knowledge that his fight on their behalf was a winning one.
"You may find it hard to believe, but Con also had a most successful life outside of the GAA. Con joined what is now know as the Health Service Executive (South) in the early 40's. He served in various grades and positions until he retired from the position of Senior Executive Officer in 1983.
"After this, he started a private business which eh operated very successfully until his retirement in 1998. Throughout his professional life, as in his activities with the GAA, he proved a dedicated and outstanding administrator who gave meticulous attention to detail. Indeed he was honoured outside of the GAA when he was named as a member of the RTE Authority and in 1995 when he was made a Freeman of the City of Cork.
"Yes, Con's contribution to the GAA, his achievements as a player, referee, administrator and in his professional life are legendary. He was left a giant footprint in the sands of our time.
"He will, however, be remembered by his family, by his beloved Tess, Noel, Aine, Brendan and Marie and his brother Dominic for many other reasons. He was totally dedicated to his family and indeed to his faith.
"Throughout the years I knew him in the GAA, no matter how late the hour, no matter how far distant the meeting , no matter how tired, Con was always keen to head for home, his family his primary consideration.
"And now, as we bid a last farewell to Con, his family can take some solace that they shared a life with a unique man, a man who has left a legacy of love and achievement and a man who had bestowed on them ideals and values that are the essence of Christianity and humanity. To us, his extended GAA family we can take pride and satisfaction at being privileged to have know a great human being who shared his time and vision with us.
"I wish, on behalf of our association members, to extend our deepest sympathy to all of his family. As Con returned to the soil of the Rebel county that the loved so well, his spirit will live on in the many fields that the was so familiar with during his odyssey through life. He may sport and play no longer, but the Banks of the winding Lee will remember forever with pride and affection one of the county;s greatest sons.
"Ar dheis De go riabh a anam dilis. Ni bheidh do leitheid aris ann. Beir bua agus beannacht ar do thuras go dti ar dTiarna."
And to the strains of Carrigdhoun, played by a lone piper, and as the music wafted over the valley, we bade farewell to Concubhair O Murchu, RIP. May the sod of his beloved Innishannon rest lightly upon him, we shall not see his likes again.
John Newman
Courtesy of The Southern Star
19 May 2007
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