Mick Murphy of Kilmaley, Co. Clare had an unusual hurling career, contesting championships in three counties: – Clare, Tipperary and Dublin and an inter-county career with both his native Clare and his adopted Tipperary.
In 1938 he lined out in the Intermediate B championship with his native Kilmaley and helped them to their first ever title. He also played senior hurling with Clarecastle in the late 1930s, when the ‘Magpies’ were allowed to select players from Kilmaley, Kilnamona and Ballyea. Defeat in finals came their way on three occasions, to Newmarket in 1936, O’Callaghan’s Mills a year later and in 1939 by Feakle.
Seeking new pastures, Mick took up a position in Russell’s drapery store on Liberty Square, Thurles in February 1940. He threw in his lot with Thurles Sarsfields and won Tipperary senior championship success with them in 1942, ‘44, ’45 and ’46. Right half back and midfield were his recognised positions.
The Cork dominance of 1941-’44 with their famed four in a row All-Ireland success, was broken by Tipperary, captained by John Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) in 1945 and Mick Murphy wore the number five jersey, when they beat Kilkenny in the final, 5-6 to 3-6
In 1947, Mick moved to Dublin to work in Clery & Co., O’Connell Street. He now played with Faughs but declared for his native county. When Clare fell to Cork in the first round of the 1947 championship, Mick found himself up against Jack Lynch. In the 1949 championship, he came up against many of his old Tipperary colleagues, when en route to their three in a row success, Tipperary had a very hard earned win over Clare in the Munster semi-final.
Mick Murphy was a fine sturdy defender, tenacious and gritty, his height and strength were to come to the fore often in repulsing many a promising attack. While his Kilmaley roots are very dear to him, Mick has fond memories of when he wore the blue of Thurles Sarsfields.
In January, Mick will be inducted into Thurles Sarfields Hall of Fame, where he will join his 1945 All-Ireland hurling colleague, Mickey ‘The Rattler’ Byrne.
