John Murphy (Down Gaelic footballer)

John Murphy (1948 – 21 May 2020) was an Irish Gaelic footballer, manager, coach and selector. His career included All-Ireland Championship victories as a player and later as a coach and selector with the Down senior football team.[1]

John Murphy
Personal information
Irish name Seán Ó Murchú
Sport Gaelic football
Position Left wing-forward
Born 1948
Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland
Died 21 May 2020 (aged 72)
Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Club(s)
Years Club
Newrys Shamrocks
Club titles
Down titles 0
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
1966–1975
Down
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 2
All-Irelands 1
NHL 1
All Stars 0

Playing career edit

From the Newry Shamrocks club, Murphy won a MacRory Cup medal with Abbey CBS in 1964, before featuring for the Down minor team at midfield in their All-Ireland final loss to Mayo in 1966. Two years later, as a forward on the Down senior team, Murphy scored a goal in the team's 1968 All-Ireland final victory over Kerry. The team had claimed the 1967-68 National League title earlier in the season. As a player, Murphy also won two Railway Cup medals with Ulster and two Ulster Championship titles.[2]

Coaching career edit

Alongside Pete McGrath, Murphy was part of the management team that saw Down win All-Ireland Championships in 1991 and 1994. Later he helped guide Mayobridge to three consecutive county senior championships from 2004 to 2006.[3]

Death edit

Murphy died on 21 May 2020.[4]

Honours edit

Player edit

Abbey CBS
Down
Ulster

Coach edit

Mayobridge
Down

References edit

  1. ^ Fogarty, John (21 May 2020). "Down GAA mourns All-Ireland-winning player and coach John Murphy". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Down GAA mourn passing of 1968 All-Ireland hero John Murphy". RTÉ Sport. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  3. ^ Hughes, Brendan (22 May 2020). "Tributes paid to Down GAA 'legend' John Murphy". Irish News. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Down GAA mourn passing of 1968 All-Ireland hero John Murphy". Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). 21 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.