A lovely man inside and out

ing finals in a row. We lost the last one. Bray won their first one that year. I think it was 2004.’

Our chat that day covered everything from his early days in St Patrick’s GAA Club to the completion of Ballinakill and the stand in Aughrim.

I’ll leave the last few now poignant words to the late Michael Murphy, a man who will never be forgotten by the Gaels of his adopted county.

‘I’m grateful for the time I had here. I really am. There were days when I was effin and blinding but they were far outweighed by the good days.

‘I really am delighted that we have Ballinakill up and running and we have Aughrim and, ok, there’s always bits to do, there’s always more to do, but they were the two major things we needed to do and it’s nice to be here from start to finish and to see them completed, but, also, of course, that was done with the help of a lot of people.

‘There were a lot of people put a lot of time and effort into Ballinakill and Aughrim, people that do it voluntary. I wouldn’t name anyone because I’d be afraid to leave someone out but there were loads of lads, loads of people. Massive time and effort,” he said.

Farewell, Michael Murphy. It was a pleasure to have known you. EARLY Sunday morning, February 10, we received the sad news that our dear friend and colleague Michael Murphy had passed on.

Michael was county secretary from 2004 to 2015. During this time he gave his life to Wicklow G.A.A. and missing out on so many family occasions by doing so.

Michael’s family were always in Aughrim to support him on match days. Rhona, Mark and Ian would sell match programmes, do turnstiles or anything that was asked of them by their dad.

When we would sit down for a cuppa during the games, Michael would produce a beautiful apple tart baked by his wife Angela.

He was one of life’s great gentlemen, a lovely man inside and out, and no one would ever have a bad word to say about him.

When I served as club secretary in Blessington, He was always so pleasant and courteous to deal with, and it didn’t matter what time of the day or night it was, he always made time for you.

When Michael stood down as county secretary, he was so helpful to me as I took the reins in 2016, and he gave me plenty of good advice, and remained doing so up until his passing.

I served with Michael on Leinster Council for the past two years, and he represented Wicklow with such pride and courtesy, other county delegates had so much respect for him, this was very evident at all our meetings.

He was fiercely proud of his beloved club St Patricks Wicklow, where he was currently club Secretary, when they won the Senior Football Championship in 2018 he was so proud, particularly when County Chairman Martin Fitzgerald asked him to present the Miley Cup to Dean Healy. I can still see his smile.

Michael you have left a massive void in Wicklow G.A.A, and we will all miss you dearly.

My deepest sympathy to his wife Angela, his sons Mark and Ian, his daughter Rhona and all his extended family. May he rest in peace. I was terribly shocked to hear of the passing of Michael Murphy on Sunday morning, and it felt extremely poignant that I learned of his passing in the midst of a GAA match. Michael was the heart and soul of Wicklow GAA for decades, a dedicated servant for club and county and always a great supporter of Kilbride. Everybody at the LackenKilbride club would like to extend our condolences to Michael’s family and the St. Pats Club.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.