Former hurling heroes take on a different game with new business

IT is full-forward solo runs on the business front this Munster semi-final week for old Cork hurling pros, Alan Browne and Kevin Murray.

The former Cork All Ireland hurling medal winners - playing as forwards back in 1999 - have this week jointly opened their own estate agency business in Cork, Murray Browne.

And their business pairing sees them bury old club rivalries: Alan Browne is a Blackrock player, while Kevin Murray is associated with the ‘Barr’s, southside city stalwart rivals.

Both aged in their early 30’s and stepped back from active playing, they say they were keen to open up their own estate agents’ business after a number of years in key selling and valuation positions in other established auctioneering firms.

“The market is still strong, and there’s a demand for independent firms,” said Mr Browne, noting that they had decided not to go an estate agency franchise route at present.

Located at 85 South Mall, Murray Browne will act in new and second-hand residential sales as well as commercial deals.

One of their first sales will be 16 Copperfields, a large new five bedroomed, all en suite home at Rushbrooke, Cobh on Great Island with harbour views.

It has a guide price of €620,000, has extensive ground floor accommodation, plus a floored attic used as a games room, and has a large bay window in the living room with balcony overhead off the master suite.

Copperfields is a development of detached houses and sites developed by Fleming Construction, and is a stand-alone scheme separate to the company’s other large developments in the vicinity.

The location physically has rail, road and ferry access back towards Cork city, while the house has IT communication links like broadband and Sky Digital.