'Proudest day was when son played for Down Sam Maguire cup winners' MR BILLY JOE MURPHY The death of Mr William Joseph 'Billy Joe' Murphy, of Loughmoney Road Raholp, Downpatrick occurred peacefully on 15 May at the Downe Hospital. A retired farm labourer, he had worked for Hampton Brothers for many years. Mr Murphy is survived by his wife Kathleen; sons Dickie, Eddie (Wales) Laurence (Raholp) Raymond (Wales), Billy (Downpatrick), daughters Jacqueline Trainor (Downpatrick), Patricia Curran (Downpatrick). Kathleen Smith (Wales), Gertie Crangle (Castleward Road), Mary Kearney (Ballynarry), Betty McKinley (Saul), Dolores Mahon (Downpatrick) and Margo Chivers (Wales). Also 41 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren, sister Patsy Burke (Ardglass), brothers Malachy and Matt Murphy (England) and a wide family circle. Billy Joe was a great GAA man who played football and hurling He also played cricket and bowls, being a founder member of the Saul bowls team. He was a founder member of Saul Accordion Band - he played the big drum and later led the band. Billy Joe received a bronze medal for 50 years' service in the St Vincent de Paul Society. He taught camogie and Irish dancing loved music and ran dances and bingo in Saul Hall. His proudest moment was when son Dickie was the first Saul man to be selected to play for the county team; he captained the Down junior team and later brought home the Sam Maguire Cup (in 1968), playing for the semor county. Billy Joe and his wife celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in February 1999. The funeral service took place at St Patrick's RC Church Saul, on 17 May, Fr Harper officiating. Courtesy of The Mourne Observer Tweet

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