GAA icon Con Murphy laid to rest as the nation mourns

GAA icon Con Murphy gave his life to the association, mourners at his funeral were told yesterday.

From the moment he began playing with his beloved Valley Rovers in Innishannon, Co Cork, to his elevation to GAA president, in 1976, and to his death last Sunday, Con Murphy gave “every inch of his heart” to the association, chief celebrant and family friend, said Canon Micheál Ó Dalaigh.

After religion and family, Con loved the GAA.

The former county hurling star, who first pulled on a Cork jersey aged 19 in 1943, died aged 84.

“Since he was a garsún, Con’s life has been the GAA. And for Con, the GAA was far more than a sporting organisation,” said Canon Ó Dalaigh.

“For Con, GAA people were part of the family. For Con, it was a family business, we were all in it together, because we all shared the same beliefs and aspirations of that noble organisation.”

Up to 500 mourners packed into St Mary’s Church in Innishannon for the mass, as dozens more stood outside.

The mourners were led by Mr Murphy’s wife, Tess, their children Noel, Áine, Brendan and Maire, and his brother Dominic.

Eighteen priests, and the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, joined Canon Ó Dálaigh on the altar, behind Mr Murphy’s coffin.

The coffin was draped with a Cork flag, a Valley Rovers flag and jersey and the GAA’s flag.

The Taoiseach was represented by Commandant Michael Murray.

Four former GAA presidents — Paddy McFlynn, Joe McDonagh, Jack Boothman and Sean Kelly — along with current president Nicky Brennan and GAA officials from all four provinces sat nearby.

Several members of Crossmaglen GAA club also attended. They listened with Cork’s Lord Mayor Michael Ahern and city manager, Joe Gavin, as tributes were paid to Mr Murphy.

In his homily, Canon Ó Dálaigh said Con loved Cork and Ireland.

“He had a deep and passionate love for Ireland,” he said, adding, “Con knew only one Ireland. It was an Ireland without partition. It was an Ireland from Fair Head in Antrim down to Mizen Head in Cork.”

He lauded the “wonderful work” Con did to get the British Army out of the Crossmaglen GAA pitch, adding that he was delighted that Crossmaglen officials were at the funeral.

He urged Mr Murphy’s grandchildren to live the life their grandfather did and to hold on to his ideals.

Cork County Board secretary Frank Murphy thanked the Murphy family for allowing the association share in Mr Murphy’s life.

“He was an inspirational leader. His enthusiasm, integrity, courage and wise counsel provided a pathway for the advancement of the association and games. He has left a monumental legacy of achievement,” he said.

Mr Murphy’s remains were carried from the church in turn by members of his family, and GAA officials, as piper Barry Murphy led the cortege just the few dozens yards to the adjoining cemetery.

After GAA president Mr Brennan’s graveside oration, Mr Murphy was laid to rest in a quiet corner of the cemetery on a hill above his birthplace.