Murphy, Michael
November 11, 2010The recent passing of Mr Michael (Mick) Murphy, at a relatively young age, occasioned deep regret among all the many people who had the pleasure of knowing him. The sense of loss was particularly keen among the Seir Kieran GAA Club, Clareen, to which Mick gave unstinting service through good. The sad news also came as a deep shock to Mick's former colleagues on the Offaly County GAA Board, with whom he worked in many capacities until almost the end.
Hurling was Mick's lifelong passion. During a playing career that spanned three decades, his canny tactical awareness and never-say-die determination was honed though many a 'clash of the ash'. Right from his goalkeeper debut in the U-21 championship of 1967, Mick was often to be found 'minding the gap' for his native Clareen. Mick was also effective on the forward lines, as he showed during the many a cliff-hanger at senior grade in the 1970's. Although few trophies were won during those years, Mick participated in several stunning 'David v Goliath' victories that prefigured the rise of Seir Kieran in the 1980's and 1990's.
The youngsters who 'came of age' in 1967 had gone down to several defeats before Seir Kieran at last won out the 1969 Junior Championship. To Mick, the tenacity and perseverance that this imbued was second nature. His commitment to all aspects of the club's life was reflected in the many roles he took on, ever since he was first elected to the Club's officer board in 1974.
It was in the same spirit that Mick applied himself to the work of the Offaly County Board, where he spent many hours on both the Fixtures Committee and the disciplinary and refereeing committees. Mick always emphasised the importance of discipline to any team with serious championship aspirations, and thought that each Club should endeavour to train up at least one referee. At various times he was also a member of the activities committees. For example , Mick helped to organise Offaly's historic homecoming in 1981, and he looked on proudly when the Mounbolus Pipe Band led the new All Ireland Senior Hurling Champions into Birr.
Mick's election as Vice-Chairman of the Offaly County Board in 2002 was the capstone of his career at County level, and recognition of his contribution to Offaly's success. Throughout these years, however, it was the triumphs - both great and small - of his own Club that gave Mick his most treasured memories. Mick would emphasise again and again the themes of developing the parish's youth, and upgrading the club's facilities. He was Club Secretary in 1982, when the Leinster Council nominated Seir Kieran as Leinster's 'Small Club of the year.' At the presentation in the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny in May, Mick attributed the Club's win to its all voluntary work on facilities and on its underage panels.
Having helped to sow the seed, it was only right that Mick was also there to reap a glorious harvest. He was PRO in 1988, when Seir Kieran became Offaly Senior Hurling Champions for the first time. In the half dozen years that followed, Mick and his fellow Committee members worked might and main to annex an elusive second Championship. He was Club Chairman when a second title was secured in 1995, and in that role he also oversaw the Black & Amber's retention of the title in 1996 (The year that five Clareen players lined out for Offaly in the Leinster final) and Seir Kieran's fourth victory in 1998 (which paralleled Offaly's famous All Ireland victory of that year).
While many All Star Awards came to the parish during these years, Mick took as great an interest in the exploits of players further away from the limelight. He managed the Seir Kieran Junior 'B' team that went down to Kilcormac in the 1994 final before bouncing back to win their championship in 1997.
As Club Chairman in 1995, it fell to him to accept the accolade of 'Club of the Year' from Fr McWey, the president of the Offaly County Board. Mike spoke then of how honoured and privileged he felt to be bringing the trophy back to Seir Kieran. While their display cabinet was laden down with Silverware that year - there was even a football trophy to go with Sean Robbins and the Pat Carroll Cups - he recalled that Clareen had borne their share of defeats in leaner times. Mick stressed that Seir Kieran were very proud of their contribution to the county as well.
A spry, ruddy and energetic man, Mick was a hurling man to his core and worked for both club and county, heart and soul. His optimism and determination, undimmed even by his struggle with his last illness, will be greatly missed. The Seir Kieran flag and the National flag flew at half mast during his funeral in late June, attended by countless hurling people from all over Offaly and beyond. Clareen's former PP. Fr Eamonn Foley, summed up the feelings of many on that sad day, 'Himself and myself, we didn't always agree on everything but…. He was a great craythur.'
The Seir Kieran GAA Club expresses its sincere condolences to Mick's wife, Bridie, his daughter Michelle, his brothers and sisters and all his extended family. May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of the Midland Tribune 11/11/10 Tweet
