Brophy, Billy
February 04, 2012Billy Brophy, 86, from Co. Tipperary captained London through the 1950s, playing with and against some of the greats of the game.
Brophy, who died on January 27, hurled with Kilruane MacDonaghs before going on to represent his county at senior level. He later moved to Britain, eventually settling in Maidenhead.
His wife Rose hailed from Co. Clare and he was involved in the haulage business. He had a son, a daughter and was a grandfather.
"He was one of the best hurlers to come out of Ireland," said former London County Board chairman Eugene Hickey.
"He was a centre-back and a naturally gifted hurler. He could play anywhere and had the respect of the greats of the game, people like John Doyle and Billy Duffy. There was a photo of him on the wall of Hayes Hotel in Thurles - where the GAA was founded - and he played competitive hurling right up to the age of 50."
When Brophy came to London he originally joined the St Mary's club but later linked up with clubs near his home. It was there that he became an active member of Slough Irish Club.
"He was a very nice man, always smiling and very sociable," said Hickey. "He was immensely passionate about the GAA."
Former teammate Sean Riordan described Billy Brophy as one of the greatest players to ever lift a hurl in Britain.
"He was a legend," said Riordan. "A great captain and a great gael, he made a big contribution."
- Courtesy of Irish Post, 4th February 2012 Tweet
