Murphy to step down as Galway official

PHELIM MURPHY, one of the longest serving officials in GAA, is to retire as secretary of the Galway Hurling Board at the end of the year.

During his 23 years in office, Murphy acted a selector for a number of sides and presided over 18 All-Ireland titles at various levels.

Murphy has been active in the GAA throughout his life. He spent over 20 years as chairman of his club Turloughmore, during which time they won the Galway SHC title six years in a row, a record that still stands.

“I’ve had a wonderful innings, but it wasn’t getting any easier. The Association, even at club level, has moved on quite a bit and the volume of work has increased enormously,” he said.

Murphy was also president of the Connacht Council for a number of years, as well as serving on the management committee in Croke Park.

During his 23 years as county secretary, Murphy witnessed the highs and lows of Galway hurling, having served as an U-21 selector for nine years and at senior level for seven.

“There have been a lot of both, but perhaps the best was our first senior success. You never forget the first one. The real breakthrough came earlier when we won the All-Ireland U-21 title in 1972.

“We’ve had some great underage teams over the years, but for some reason that success was not reflected as senior level, and we haven’t won as many titles at that level as we should have.

“It’s hard to know what is the cause of that.

“There is no doubt but I’m going to miss the involvement. One of the best things about the GAA is the people you meet and the friends you make, and I’ve made a lot of friends.”

Murphy’s departure signals the end of an era for Galway hurling, but his knowledge and experience won’t go to waste.

“I’ll be around offering any assistance I can to the new man whoever he may be,” he added.

CONNACHT football squad v Ulster inter-provincial semi-final: J Bergin, M Clancy, J Devane, M Donnellan, D Meehan, M Meehan, P Joyce, B O’Donoghue, K Fitzgerald (Galway); F Grehan, G Cox, S Curran, D Casey, F Dolan, S O’Neill, J White (Roscommon); J Nallen, K McDonald, P Gardiner, R McGarrity, G Ruane (Mayo); J McKeon, M McGuinness, S Quinn (Leitrim); M Brehany, E O’Hara (Sligo).