Donie Murphy
A Kerry Great
The founding of Killarney Legion Football Club in 1929 was an
historic and most important event which in the succeeding years
was to have a profound effect on the sporting lives of thousands
of Killarney people. That very same year, a son was born to Kathleen
and Fred Murphy, Southill and he in turn would go on and become
one of the greatest footballers the fledgling young club would
ever produce.
Donal Brendan Murphy would achieve all his boyhood dreams on the
playing fields of Ireland, culminating before a record crowd of
85,155 in Croke Park in 1953 as his beloved Kerry defeated Armagh
in a dramatic senior All-lreland final.
Donie, as he would become more popularly known, would throughout
his exemplary career, experience the joys of victory, the heartbreak
of defeat, but much more importantly overcome serious illness
at the height his brilliant sporting life, make a full recovery
and return to the playing fields. A story surely of a man well
and truly worthy of a Hall Of Award in any aspect of life.
The River Field
One of family of three boys, it was as inevitable as night follows
day that Donie and his two brothers Freddie and Seamus would play
with the Legion. Their mother was a sister to the mother of Kerry’s
most famous footballing family, the brothers Lyne of Cleeney, all
of whom donned the green and white and this knowledge eliminates
any enquiry as to why our club was the one of their choice. Another
strong tie rests with one of our present staunch clubmen, Con Carroll,
whose father Donie is also a close relation to the Murphys, and
also former secretary and P.R.O. Justin Kioney.
The
Murphy home is situated at Southill in the townland of Coolclogher,
approximately two miles from town just off the Killarney - Kenmare
road. The Flesk river was close to the house and it was here in
the area known as “the river field” that young Donie
Murphy began his football education. Summer evenings were spent
with his brothers and boyhood friends playing until darkness fell.
Donie has fond memories of those happy carefree days and the boys
who shared his youth. John and Jim Trant, the Sugrues, Paddy O'Sullivan,
Owen and Joe Hickey, Paddy and Tom Slattery, Johnny O'Brien and
others including Joe O'Sullivan, Donal D.F. O’ Sullivan,
Michael Collins and Charlie Whelan.
The
river separated Woodlawn from Southill, and many the evening the
boys from that area would sling the boots over their shoulders
and at a low water point cross over to the river field which for
a few innocent hours would become their Croke Park. Some of those
boys remember Donie as always better than the rest, always trying
to improve his game and most important of all, recall that he
was present every evening without fail. One of those river field
boys would go on and star with Donie in the real Croke Park as
Kerry won the 1946 All-lreland minor title.
The
football mad youngster recalls one of our great Legion players
Timmy Hurley, joining with them, who he says had a devastating
turn of speed, an aspect of his game which Donie made a point
to improve on as he endeavored to match the lad from over the
river. This, he says, was vital in later years as he maintained
the policy “always be first to the ball”. One of his
first coaches was the then old Kerry goalkeeper, Paddy Dillion
who, long retired, would during his evening walks join the youngsters
the river imparting his vast knowledge on the skills of the game
with especially the advice never to be forgotten by Donie - Number
one: keep your eye on the ball.
Timmy Leary
It is very evident chatting with the former Kerry and Legion star,
that his young days at Southill and various football people had
a profound effect on his sporting future. Two such men were legendary
Kerry stars, Timmy O’ Leary and Dr. Crokes’ Billy Myers.
Traveling in and out from Killarney, Donie would meet these two
great friends as they strolled together and he says with genuine
pride ''they always made a point say hello me, chat for a while
and enquire of my football.” After nearly forty years the
gentleness and politeness of these two boyhood heroes remained etched
in the memory of the now Castlebar resident Legion man.
The "Mon" and the "sem"
Like hundreds of young Killarney boys, the “Mon” was
the first stop on the road to the top and here there always was
and still is a great emphasis on our national games, both by word
and action.
Football here again, morning, noon and night for the budding young
star and the school leagues continued Donies improving progress.
From there he moved around the corner to the “Sem”,
where again every encouragement was given and every facility provided
to help develop the skills formulated in the river field and the
''Mon''. He recalls his very first big game as a Dunloe Cup match
against Tralee C.B.S. when he says “we were hammered”.
This result was well reversed later as Donie played major role
in St. Brendans Kerry Cup victories of ‘46 -‘47.
By now the exciting skills of the young Legion boy were coming
to full bloom and he was chosen for the Munster Colleges in the
Inter Provincial series, winning his first All-lreland medal.
Kerry Minors
His talents were being widely acknowledged, and Donie was selected
with his two clubmen Johnny O'Brien and John Joe Sheehan on the
1946 Kerry Minor team. October 6th of that year before a massive
gathering of 75,771, the two boys from the river field ran on
to Croke Park to oppose red hot favourites, Dublin. Unlike today
when minor sides begin preparing months in advance with trials,
challenge games, training etc, things were very different for
Donie Murphy and his fellow Kerry minors. A glimpse of what the
widely read “Kerryman” journalist P.F. had to say
in the weeks proceeding the final gives a fascinating insight
into preparations at that time. He wrote, in Dublin, Kerry will
be meeting team who will assemble every evening for collective
training. Dublin denounce grants for this purpose, they talk about
semi-professionalism, but actually they have sent a headline to
the rest of Ireland. Such counties as Kerry are severely handicapped.
Some attempt should be made give the Kerry minors practice games
at least. They should be taught under a skilled coach. The dice
is heavily loaded in Dublin’s favour.” The following
week he continued, ''What of our minors?' Root hog or die has
been the policy pursued with them. All efforts have been concentrated
on fitting the seniors and the boys have been largely neglected.
Dublin have ground advantage and have had special preparation.
Physique will have a big bearing and the light Knacky Nipper will
be severely handicapped. Win, lose or draw, the Kerry boys can
be depended upon to give a display reflecting credit on their
incomparable football county.
Donie,
in his future position at left corner back, held one Kevin Heffernan
to a point, J.J. Sheehan had a blinder at centre-back and Johnny
O'Brien river crossings to the slanty river field were well rewarded
as they shook the Dublin net late in the game.
Storming to 3-7 to 2-3 win, Donee recalls the delighted Kerry
supporters in the Long Stand singing 'Roll out the barrell, we
have the blues on the run”. The seventeen year old Legion
boy’s day was crowned when in the following senior final
he saw, his first cousins Jackie and Danny Lyne help Kerry draw
with Roscommon. Another great Legionnaire, Teddy O'Sullivan, was
sub as Kerry went on to win the re-play.
Legion win the County Title
A memorable year for the Legion, 1946 saw Donie collect the first
of his two senior Co. Championship medals as his club had an historic
county win. A sub on that team, he helped the green and white
to minor and Junior East Kerry titles. He was again favoured by
the Kerry minor selectors the following year and his cousin Denny
captained Kerry in New York. Donee lined out with the county Junior
side in the All-lreland final and recalls “We were flying
until Tom Spillane, for some unknown reason, was sent off.”
Defeat was his lot and five hours later in far off New York, Denny
saw his side also suffer defeat.
Senior Debut
An honour-laden under age career behind him, Donie faced 1948
with more hope than confidence knowing that it would take a mighty
effort to gain senior county place. However, early this year he
filled in for a few challenge games and the tall ex-minor certainly
impressed the selectors as he was named a sub for the first round
Munster Champ tie against Clare. But the Legion man would not
remain on the bench for this senior game, the legendary Dingle
fisherman Paddy ''Bawn” Brosnan failed to reach port in
time and on July 10th 1948, Donie Murphy lined out at the North
Kerry venue of Ballybunion at corner back to help the Kingdom
to a 6-6 to 1-8 victory.
Worth noting that star studded team on which Donie made his debut
45 years ago was:
Danno Keeffe (Goal), Denny Lyne, Joe Keohane, Donie Murphy, Jackie
Lyne, Bill Casey, Gus Cremin, Tom Spillane, Eddie Dowling, Gerald
Sullivan, W. O'Donnell, Batt Garvey, Brendan Kelliher, Paddy Burke,
Dan Kavanagh.
He saw his clubmate Gerald O'Sullivan score two goals that day,
and in the preceeding minor game, his lifelong friends John Trant
and John C Cooper helped the Kerry minors to an easy win also
against Clare.
The Bawn resumed for the Munster final, Donie returned to the
bench as Kerry won and John Trant at full back and John C. at
left half forward won Munster minor medals the same day. Both
teams lost at the All-lreland semi-final stage and Donie also
went of the Co. Championship with Killarney losing to Dingle 4-3
to 1-4. He finished the year of his senior experience with an
away November league match to Mayo at Castlebar where years later
he would raise his family.
1949 was certainly a short season for Kerry as Clare sensationally
beat them in the first round of the Munster championship at Ennis.
The following year, Donie made his senior debut at Croke Park
where he suffered the disappointment of going under to Louth in
the All-Ireland semi-final.
Defeat Again
Now recognised as one of the best defenders in Kerry, he won his
third Munster medal in 1951, going on face Mayo in the semi- final.
The ending of this game for Donie and his team mates remains as
a nightmare. “We were four points up going into lost time,
a kick out from our goal went straight to Eamon Mongey, his centre
was flicked to the net by the great Tom Langan, then from far out
Paddy Irwin pointed and we had drawn a match we should have won
easily.'' Jackie Lyne starred in the replay but two goals from Mayo’s
Mick Langan left Kerry beaten and a bitter defeat for the young
Legion man from Southill. Some consolation later in that year as
he was honoured by the Munster selectors but again defeat was his
lot as Connacht were too good the Railway Cup final.
In December of ’51, while a student Dublin, Donie was stricken
with a bout of pleurisy, which he swears was the result of wearing
damp clothes. He spent six leeks in Jervis Street hospital and
the following year played very little football. One wonders if
this illness left a legacy which in turn would bring to a premature
end four years later the brilliant career of a marvelous defender.
Never could he have thought even in his wildest dreams that just
around the corner of life he would put all these defeats behind
him and in one glorious crowded hour he would achieve everything
he had hoped for with Kerry and lead his club also to a victory
which would mean so much to his parents. As Donie himself says,
life is a strange game.
The Dream Comes True
Sunday 27th September, 1953 is a date which will remain with Donie
Murphy for the remainder of his life. Before a record crowd of
85,155, with thousands more locked out the Legion played one of
the greatest games of his career as Kerry defeated Armagh in what
was for them their jubilee title. Fifty years previously in 1903
they had defeated Kildare to capture their first All-Ireland.
This ‘53 final was described as one of the best and most
dramatic of all. One writer the time wrote “This game had
speed of action, magnificent kicking and fielding of inspired
grandeur, here we saw football at its very best; played by thirty
men whose sportsmanship and general behaviour should serve as
a model to all.” A marvellous day for the Legion as Donie
was joined on the first fifteen by fellow clubmen: Mixi Palmer,
Jackie Lyne, JJ Sheehan and the man from Ballycasheen, Gerald
O'Sullivan, was introduced in the second half. Six minutes from
the final whistle and Kerry leading by two points, Armagh launched
attack after attack. Then occurred one of the most talked about
penalties of all time. Donie, who had held his man scoreless over
the hour, can still see as clear as crystal in the minds eye what
occurred.
''Johnny
Foley, the Kerry goalie brought down a high shot from Brian Seeley,
failed to gather the ball at the first attempt, picked up, the
ref said it was off the ground (then not allowed) and awarded
a penalty which I thought was very harsh. Silence fell on the
vast crowd. The tension was audible. Bill McCorry, an expert kicker
came up to take the kick, Donie Murphy admits he whispered a prayer,
McCorry blazed the shot wide, J.J. Sheehan pointed, Donie fielded
high at the cross bar, cleared his lines and the man from Southill
had reached the pinnacle of his career.
The dream, as he himself admits he always had since his days on
the banks of the Flesk, had some true.
You Win One and Lose One
Donie continued in 1954 showing superb form as they overcame Louth
in the semi-final and faced Meath, who before 75,275 created major
surprise, winning 1-13 to 1-7. The Legion man recalls that collective
training had been banned before this final and he himself together
with Sean Murphy, Colm Kennelly and Paudie Sheehy were not resident
in the county. Where the previous year he admits “I was
so fit I would go through a wall”, in the Meath game he
never really got going. The Kerry selectors, however, did not
help as amid uproar around the county they dropped Jackie Lyne
who was confidently expected to land a goal or two. The Kerry
attack had lost its sting. Donie’s response when questioned
about this defeat was philosophical as one would expect from this
most unassuming of men. “That’s the way it goes -
you win one and lose one.”
A Special Day
Despite this defeat Donie was to achieve a success he says was
very special to him and his family. Our club President Dr. Patrick
O'Donoghue had died in 1945 and the East Kerry Board decided to
purchase a silver Cup which would be presented annually the winners
of the East Kerry Championship in his memory. First played for
in 1954, Donie was outstanding as he led his side to an historic
victory. It was an emotional moment when he, together with brothers
Freddie and Seamus arrived home in Southill with the trophy. “My
mother”, he recalls, “had tremendous respect for Dr.
O’ Donoghue and held him in very high regard, and was as
proud as punch that her three boys had helped the Legion win his
cup.”
His father too was thrilled and he, even though not a fanatic
follower, always encouraged the boys in their football lives.
As the 1955 championship drew nigh, a shadow since the previous
year’s shock defeat loomed over Kerry’s head. Donie
was determined to retain his place and trained twice as hard.
At corner back, Kerry got over Waterford 3-7 to 0-3 and on a flaming
hot August day with 45,000 followers sweltering in Fitzgerald
Stadium, he ran out to face the old enemy. Kerry won that match
0-14 to 2-6 but little did Donie Murphy realize as he pulled on
the green and gold jersey that never again would he don the Kingdom
colours.
The six foot plus, twelve and a half stone, towering Legion stalwart,
had played his last game for Kerry. A bout of pleurisy in his
student days had left its mark. Donie had contracted tuberculosis,
much more serious in those days than now, spent 17 months in hospital,
underwent an operation, and saw Kerry go on to defeat Dublin in
that years final. The team visited him in hospital with the cup
and among them was a young club mate of Donie’s; A ''find''
by the Kerry selectors that year, Johnny Culloty took up where
his Legion team mate had finished and as fate dealt a cruel blow
to one Legion man, it opened up a fabulous career to another.
A shattering experience one would expect for the 25-year old county
star, but again his marvellous attitude is very evident as he
says of that time of life, ''Thank God for the one All-lreland,
Many the great player won none.”
Farewell to the Legion
At the Con Keating Park on August 23rd, 1959, Donie Murphy lined
out with his club for the last time. A county championship game,
he had answered the call and marking his old friend, Gerald O’
Sullivan, he showed that he had lost very little of his great
power. Playing in goal behind him that day was young 18 year old
Weeshie Fogarty and he recalls vividly this powerful man fielding
and clearing everything that dropped the square. “Donie
Murphy”, he says “on that game alone, left a lasting
impression on my football memories.'' Both men would not meet
again until 1993, 33 years later.
In spite of the heavy demands of inter-county football, Donie
never refused to answer the call of his club. His loyalty is well
known and the inspiration which his team-mates sought from him
never failed to materialize. His exemplary sportsmanship and modesty
were an example to all. He won his second Co. Champ. medal with
Dick Fitzgeralds in 1951. The Legion had been beaten in an earlier
round and boarding a bus from Barrys Hotel in Dublin, Eugene Moriarty
explained that he was eligible to play with them.
He received permission from his club, lined out at full back with
his teammate Marcus O 'Neill in the final against Dingle and as
usual was outstanding. He hurled with Killarney and went on to
win Fitzgibbon Cup medal with U.C.G. He also rowed with Flesk
Valley, winning two juvenile races but he says football put a
stop his nights on the lake.
There is however, one final chapter be recorded in the football
life of this outstanding defender. Following his game with our
club, Donie’s work as an Agriculture Instructor found him
settled in Kilkenny. Here in 1960, he befriended Con O’
Shea, a very persuasive Kerryman from Listry who in turn was chairman
of the Clan Na Gael Club. Donie took on the training of their
team and before he knew what was happening, they had him in full
forward where his presence had a dramatic effect. In 1963-64 he
played a major role as his adopted club won two senior county
titles and his displays prompted the Kilkenny junior selectors
to pick him at full forward.
A Leinster campaign saw his side face Kildare in the final and
on August 1964, the towering Southill man played his last game
of Gaelic football. Kildare won the tie, vent on to win the All-Ireland,
and Donie Murphy who first kicked a ball on the banks the Flesk
over 25 years previously, ended a career in which he had won all
the game had to offer.
Ireland and the Combined Universities
Generations of Legion footballers have never had the privilege
of seeing Donie
meeting and chatting with him. So how good a footballer was this
six foot plus, 12 speak for theirs? Let this record speak for
itself. As well as what we have recorded in previous lines, Donie,
after helping U.C.G. to Sigerson Cup victory, was selected for
the combined universities in 1951 and had as his team mates that
day such well known names as Dennis Bernard, Cork, Sean Purcell,
Galway, and Jim and Mick Brosnan, Kerry. Meeting Ireland that
year, the Legion had the unique distinction of being represented
on both teams. Cousin Jack Lyne was right half-back on the Ireland
side.
The forerunner to the present all-stars in those days was selection
on the Irish team and the Legion man was chosen as lef-half back
in 1955. Selection meant being recognized as on e of the best
players in the 32 counties. Among his team-mates were such legends
of the game as Jack Mangan, Galway, Willie Casey, Mayo, Nicky
Maher, Dublin, Tadgh Lyne, Kerry, Art O’ Hagan, Armagh,
Stephen White, Louth, Mal McEvoy, Armagh. Donie Murphy thus remains
the only Legion man and one of the few in Ireland to have played
for both the Universities and Ireland. Throw in two more East
Kerry senior wins in ‘47 and ‘53 and then decide for
yourself how good was this man from Southill.
Two of our former Hall of Fame winners said of him “He was
the greatest corner back I ever saw and what he would have achieved
if only for sickness?” - Jackie Lyne, one of his most ardent
admirers. Dan O' Keeffe says “He was the best player I ever
saw playing with the Legion”. Donie has been retired from
his post in the Mayo Agriculture Department for the last four
years. He has trained Castlebar Mitchells, guiding them to an
under 21 county title and his son Anthony was most promising until
a serious injury ended his career.
One of his daughters is married in Bermuda to a Clare man. Anne
is nursing in Baggott St hospital, while his daughter Claire is
resident in Washington. Donie’s wife Pauline has always
given him full encouragement in his sporting pursuits and that
continues today as he trains his club under-14 and 16 sides. He
is Vice President of the Legion and his nephews, Freddie’s
sons, have all donned the green and white.
A Glimpse of the Past
And so, we conclude our look at the career of this exemplary Legionnaire,
a man who brought honour and glory to his club, town and county.
We finish where we began, back at the slanty river field, perched
on the banks of the Flesk where Donee Murphy spent his boyhood years.
Of those youths who gathered together for their backs and forwards
during the long summer evenings, the amazing total of ten went on
to win East Kerry medals with the Legion in some grade while five
had the honour of wearing the green and gold. Their achievements
have played a major part in establishing our club as the strong
force it is today. Their contribution should not be forgotten.
“But yes foolish dreams! They're missing now.
The friends of boyhood’s day!
And never shall we meet again
They’ve wandered far away!
The scene is changed!
No more I’ll see the hearts I used to know -
The boys with whom I oft lined up,
Some fifty years ago.”
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