Murphy, John A
February 19, 2013Though small in stature he was larger than life - a man who had a legion of 'dose personal friends" - who came from journalistic circles, sport, the dose knit communities of West Waterford and East Cork and his native Co. Tipperary.
On Friday evening last many of these people flocked to Kielys funeral home in Dungarvan to pay their final respects and to travel with Johnny on his final journey to St. Mary's Church in Dungarvan.
On Saturday morning many of the same people assembled again and filled, to capacity, the Church in remembrance, to say farewell and by their presence to be a source of comfort to his wife Eileen--, daughters Jackie, Sharon, Deirdre and Claire, to his sisters Pat and Deirdre, his sons in law and his grandchildren.
Born at Boherclough Street, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, the family later moved to Dean Ryan Terrace in the town. His father Jackie was a tailor with O'Dwyer's Drapers in the town and his mother was Nora Ormonde, a native of Dungarvan.
County Waterford was to become his adopted home when as a teenager the family moved to Dungarvan following the death of his father.
Speaking following his funeral Mass last Saturday, Johnny's daughter, Jackie, told how her dad had been spoiled by his sister and following his marriage to Eileen nothing changed. They were more than husband and wife and parents - they were partners. Johnny recorded faithfully the proceedings in the courts, the happenings of local authority meetings, he broke major local and national news stories, he wrote columns and covered all the happenings on the local GAA scene. Before the arrival of electronic media he turned out page after page for the Cork Examiner on the typewriter and as he completed his report - and especially sport - the words were relayed by phone to the news or sports 'desk by Eileen.
Jackie recalled how at times she or her sisters offered to help but Johnny replied, "Thanks but no thanks - it is a difficult job and there is no one like your mother to do it."
He spent his entire working career in journalism starting off with The Dungarvan Observer and in 1969 joining the then Cork Examiner (now the Irish Examiner). He also produced news and sports reports for the Waterford News & Star and even after he retired in late 2006 his 'About Dungarvan' column and his sports reports arrived faithfully on Friday and Monday.
Even in sickness he didn't let his editors down. His final reports in news and sport were published by this newspaper just 24 hours before his sudden passing.
Throughout his career there was little that went unnoticed by Johnny and the big news stories broken by him included the capture of those bringing weapons into Helvic on board the Claudia.
Retired sergeant Joe Hurley remembered how he was summoned to go to Helvic with as many men as he could muster. He didn't know the exact reason why he was going. When he arrived Johnny Murphy was already on the scene with photographer Rory Wyley.
"People thought he was tipped off by the Gardai. He wasn't and it just went to show the extent of his 'contacts'," said the retired sergeant.
In more recent years he broke the 'Angel of Death' story, which emerged from the homily of Fr. Michael Kennedy in St. Mary's Church. It was claimed that a
woman with AIDS was having relationships with several men in Dungarvan and effectively passing on the dreaded AIDS. The story duly got front-page prominence in The Irish Examiner and the world's media descended on Dungarvan.
MEETING WITH POPE JOHN PAUL II
Perhaps one of his proudest moments was meeting Pope John Paul 11 at The Vatican and the pictorial record remains proudly displayed in the Murphy family home at Western Bay, Dungarvan.
Much has been written and much said of The legend and genius that was John A Murphy and a small snapshot of a life lived to the full was unveiled before his funeral Mass when tokens representing various facets of it were brought to the altar.
His grandson Sean brought a family photo representing his love for his family, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Son-in-law, Larry Murphy presented a hurley and sliotar representing his passion for sport, his skills as a player and his lifelong passion for Ae GAA. The hurley was signed by the Tipperary
All Ireland winning team of 2010.
A notebook and pen was presented by Martin Mersey representing his career as a journalist. A copy of The Irish Examiner was presented by Jim O'SuIlivan of the Irish Examiner, representing his career as a journalist for the newspaper. His laptop was presented by his son-in-law James Fitzpatrick. The Red Book used at the surprise This Is Your Life to mark his 70th birthday in August 2011 was presented by Paul Duggan, his son-in-law.
A book entitled 'Cashel My Life and Times' and written by Sean O'Duibhor was presented by the author. The book contains a chapter dedicated to Johnny who was known as the 'Merryman' as a child in Cashel as he proudly wore a cowboy outfit sent to him by his sister from America.
The Mass was celebrated by Very. Rev Pr William Ryan, PP of St Mary's Parish, Dungarvan and concelebrared by Very. Rev Fr Brendan Crowley PP, Very Rev. Michael Enright PE (Pastoral Emeritus), Very Rev. C Kelleher OSA, Rev. Fr J. Harris CC, Rev Fr. PMoran OSA, Rev. Fr. M Cooney OSA and V. Rev. Fr S LuceyPE.
Music for the Mass was provided by Loma Jane Daly.
Tears flowed from many an eye as Johnny's daughters Claire and Deirdre sang Amazing Grace and Claire then sang "The Old Man' made famous by Finbar Furey. Fittingly as the coffin was carried shoulder high and bearing the flags of Waterford and Tipperary the parting song was "Dungarvan My Home Town." The same song rang out over the speakers after Johnny was laid to rest in a scenic spot overlooking Dungarvan Bay.
Among those who attended the funeral services were former Fianna Fail TDs Jackie Fahy and Ollie Wilkinson, former Fianna Fail Minister,
Noel Davern, from South Tipperary, former GAA President and Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly, RTE sports journalist Marty Morrissey, former RTE commentator Micheal 0 Muircheanaigh, former RTE Southern correspondent Tom McSweeney, former Waterford hurler John Mullane, former Irish. Examiner GAA correspondent Jim O'Sullivan and members of Waterford Co. Council and Dungarvan Town Council of which Johnny Murphy was a member for one term.
Stories have been told and retold and even embellished. Though the light has gone out the memory of a very remarkable man will live on in the lives of all lucky enough to have known him.
Courtesy of The Waterford News and Star Tweet
