The Antrim football community is in mourning following the passing of Chris Murphy after a brief illness.

A regular at midfield for the Saffrons in the 1990s, Chris has been described as both a ‘gentle giant’ and ‘fierce competitor’ as the tributes continue to pour in following his death on Sunday. His place in the annals of Antrim football is forever assured thanks to his winning goal against Down in the 1989 Ulster U21FC final.

He went on to win three county SFC medals with St Paul’s in 1994, ’96 and ’97, and also lined out for Castlewellan in his younger years and Clan na Gael in Lurgan where he won the Player of the Year Award in 2003. Chris returned to his beloved St Paul’s after that and was involved as an U14 and U16 coach up until recently.

In a heartfelt tribute posted on social media, his former St Paul’s team-mate Paul McErlean said: "Opposition teams underrated Chris all of the time, he was totally committed and a fierce competitor who managed to get a hand, leg, knee, foot or elbow on the ball (or man!) to win it for Naomh Pól or Antrim. If you were being marked by Chris, you never had an easy day. 

"His skills and athletic ability to get up and down the pitch were also underrated. Joe Kennedy, John MacManus and Barry O’Neill in our inside forward line were regular recipients of Chris’ good passing and follow-up play - he always covered a serious amount of ground in a match.”

Paul added: "I loved playing alongside him and my memory is that he was never anything other than 100% committed to his teammates - he never let us down on the field or off it. I am certain those traits also translated across to his family and other parts of his life, deepest condolences to his three children and the Murphy and McCartan clans, we’ve lost a seriously good man, far too early.

"Cheers Chris, you will be treasured in my memory and our group of St Paul’s lads who won much, thanks in large part to your immense efforts over many years. RIP."

It is with the deepest sorrow that we learn of the passing of our former great, Senior football midfielder, Chris Murphy.

Our condolences to all the Murphy family & to the great friends & teamates he held onto within our club.

Ar dheis de go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/xYxQtUKDPc

— CLG Naomh Pól, Béal Feirste 🅾️ (@StPaulsGAC) December 16, 2024

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