‘Bonner’ Murphy and Dromin cup dream

A former local boxing champion turned soccer player is hoping to play his part in what ïs expected to be a hectic Meath Challenge Cup quarter final clash at the Junction on Sunday when Dromin United, the holders, take on Kentstown.

Tony “Bonner” Murphy, an ex-member of the Drogneda Amateur Boxing Club has never really had a disappointing season in his ten years in football which started with a Leinnster League and Bendel Cup success with Northside Blues.

“That was my first year playing soccer and shortly afterwards I met Dermot Gaffney from Dromin and he askcd me out and I stayed”, he commented.

And despite all the attractions of playing in Drogheda, thc 29 year old from Hardmans Gardens has stayed loyal to the mid Louth side, based just the far side of Dunleer.

“I get on very well with the lads out there and the club is very well organised. We havc our own pitch and there’s a steady committee”, he added.

Indeed with Dromin he’s picked up honour after honour in the Louth League and last year came the proudest moment with victory in the cup final against Skyrne when Colm Lally’s tremendous long range drive sunk the Meath boys.

‘It’s a very unpredictabale league because there’s not much between any of the teams and if you have a few bad results you’re gone”, he statcd.

Tony would regard himself very much as a stopper in the heart of the defence or indeed anywhere in the backline. “I have always been a centre half and don’t fancy it anywhere else. ‘I am a stopper but not a dirty one”. He also revealed that he has played in goals once or twice for the mid-Louth side.

His aim now is success in the Meath League title race but that certainly won’t be this season. “I hope I have plenty of years left to win a few more titles and I intend staying with Dromin if they want me”.

Bonner of course played alongsidc Cathal Muckian in the side for some reasons and he brought on a numbcr of the players and thought them a few things at the same time.

The Mitzi employee also has a noted footballing brother in John Murphy, thc former Mosney/ CIE and now Droghcda Celtic stalwart.