Murphy, Sean
July 17, 2010Tributes were this week paid to former Limerick GAA PRO and GAA historian, Sean Murphy.
Limerick GAA chairman Liam Lenihan described him as "a true Gael".
The death occurred on Saturday last of Sean Murphy, Lower Park, Corbally.
A native of Herbertstown and domiciled in Limerick City for over 40 years, Sean was a well known GAA Columnist, Historian and Sports Presenter.
"He wrote so many books on the GAA and on culture in Limerick. The most famous of them would be '100 Years of Glory', the history of Limerick GAA he brought out with Seamus O'Ceallaigh, a fantastic reference for anyone who takes an interest in the GAA," recalled the GAA chairman.
"He would have started out with the Limerick Leader and wrote on cycling and athletics, which he had a tremendous knowledge of as well. And he had a very popular slot on local radio where he would name the junior and the senior champions and the county board officers and the listeners would have to name the year," Mr Lenihan said.
"Sean Murphy documented the story of Limerick GAA very, very well. He has left behind for us a library of Limerick sport and culture that will be there for future generations."
He covered GAA affairs for the Limerick Leader for many years, and athletics and cycling under the pen-name of "Olympia" for 25 years. He was PRO of Limerick GAA County Board for 17 years.
He was later involved as Gaelic Games Editor with the Limerick Tribune and Limerick Times, and has written extensively on Limerick hurling and football for Gaelic World, Gaelic Sport and match programmes, having started his journalistic career with the Gaelic Weekly.
Sean was Editor of the Limerick GAA Yearbook for 12 years and won the McNamee Award for the Best Publication in Ireland, three years in a row-1977/1978/1979.
With Seamus O'Ceallaigh he was co-author of the 'The Mackey Story' in 1982, and '100 Years of Glory - the story of Limerick GAA. 1884-1984', which won a McNamee Award for the Best County History in 1987. He also edited a History of Handball in Munster for GAA Centenary Year in 1984 and 'The Saints Go Marchin On' a history of St. Patrick's GAA Club in Limerick City, in 1986.
Keenly interested in athletics and cycling, Sean was Editor of 'Pedal Power By Shannonside' a history of Limerick Cycling 1876-1991 which the Limerick Cycling Board published as their contribution to the Treaty 300 celebrations in 1991.
Sean edited '25 Years A Growing' a history of Na Piarsaigh GAA Club in Limerick from 1968 to 1983 which the club under the direction of its President and founder-the late Noel Drumgoole initiated for their Silver Jubilee in 1993.
He also edited 'The Life and Times of Jackie Power' for the Jackie Power Memorial Committee, Annacotty in 1996.
He published 'Remember Limerick' an anthology of Ballads, Poems and Songs of County Limerick.
His last publications were 'The Boys of Claughaun' for Claughaun GAA Club in 2000, 'Come On Ahane - The Spuds Are Boiling' for Ahane GAA Club in 2001 and 'The West's Awake' a history of West Limerick GAA Board in 2002.
Sean is survived by his wife Teresa; children John, Orla, Brian, Dermot and Niamh; sisters Maureen, Breda, Teresa and Christina, grandchildren, relatives and a wide circle of friends.
Courtesy of the Limerick Leader
17th July, 2010 Tweet
