2007 Hall of Fame: Pat Murphy

Pat Murphy was a native of Ardaghey and his earliest memories of football were playing in Francie McNally’s field where groups of boys would gather and play impromptu games.

There was little by way of football at primary schools level at that stage and strangely enough for someone who was to go on to greatness Pat played no competitive football at college. Having completed his second level education he attended St Endas College in Galway and later St. Patrick’s Teacher Training College in Drumcondra in Dublin but did not compete for a place on the teams in either of those educational establishments. His earliest competitive football was in 1954 when he was he was 21.

That year he played on the Clontibret junior team and was a sub on the senior team. Recognition though was not far away and he got his first senior game in 1955 which was the final of the senior football championship against Ballybay which played in Castleblayney. The 50s is sometimes referred to as the Ballybay Clontibret era in that those two clubs tended to dominate the domestic scene at that time.

A good performance in that 1955 final brought him to the attention of the county selectors and he was picked for a couple of games for the county before the end of the year. However he had not played senior championship football with Monaghan in 1955 and so he was eligible for selection for the county junior side in 1956, a team that was to go on and make history. The deeds of the 1956 team are well documented and Pat Murphy played a full part in Monaghan winning the Ulster and All Ireland junior football championship titles.

During his playing career he won senior football championship medals with Clontibret in 1955, 1956 and 1958 and in that period he also picked up a number of Owen Ward cup medals as well. On top of those official competitions in the county an aspect of the games in those times was the many prestigious club tournaments that were played across Ulster and Clontibret were well to the fore as they competed in tournaments in Omagh, Armagh, Crossmaglen and other well-known venues. At that time cross border travel was difficult and one particular tournament in Crossmaglen saw the supporters from Clontibret having to work three miles from the border to get to the pitch due to the restrictions on using the unapproved roads at that time.

When he retired from active service in 1967 he decided to take up refereeing but it was a short relationship. He only acted briefly as to quote himself he got so much flak that he gave it up. Away from the games he has also been involved in the administrative side of football as in the late 60’s and into the 70’s he acted as vice-chairman of his club and was also chairman of the Field committee that oversaw the purchase and the development of the present O’Neill Park.

He also took an active part in the affairs of the association at county level where he served as chairman of the county juvenile board during the 60s and he also represented Monaghan on the Ulster Council from 1965 to 1969. So a very full and rewarding career in Gaelic games the highlight of which was the all Ireland success of 1956". Following the presentation Pat recalled some of the events of his career and some amusing anecdotes and there was no concealing the obvious delight he felt at getting such an award although he did express the opinion that there were perhaps others who deserved it more.