THE man in the cap. Rain, hail or shine, Andy Murphy will always be remembered for wearing that distinctive hat.
A man synonymous with championship success, an infectious character and a giving of himself – he was an icon in the local community.
Andy passed away last July at the age of 69, after a battle with cancer – leaving behind his wife Betty, sons Ryan, Damien, Sean, Niall, Paul and his four grandchildren.
A tireless worker, very proud of his family and as son Paul put it - ‘he enjoyed the craic’ - a man who touched the lives of many.
“A colossus within our club and indeed beyond,” St Canice’s GAC said in a statement in the days following his death.
A former player, manager, chairman and eventually honorary president, Murphy offered so much. Sport had been kind to him and this Saturday he will look down a very proud man. O’Cahan Park will be the hub of community – all gathered in his name.
It would be just want he would’ve wanted, a day to represent everything he stood for and give something back to the Foyle Hospice who were central in his care.
In 2013, Murphy went into hospital for a routine check on his heart but the scan showed that he had lung cancer and was followed with an operation to have a lung removed.
“Everything went well after the operation and it was a success,” recalls his son Paul. “He got three good years after the operation and he was always very thankful for that.”
Unfortunately when the cancer returned, it couldn’t be operated on. With the chemotherapy came a lack of appetite and his strength deteriorated.
“That’s why the Foyle Hospice was important to us as a family. My father was at home and I have four brothers, my mother was around home to keep an eye on him and to look after him.
“It was getting to the stage that every day we didn’t know what we were dealing with so we were glad to get him into the hands of people who knew what they were dealing with.”
In time, Murphy moved to the Foyle Hospice but it brought a piece of mind. Andy was used to leading an active life but still there was contentment. He was the type of man who liked to talk to those who knew what they were talking about, explained Paul. He now had the doctors and the right people around him.
“One of the things he said, that if he was spared he would have liked to do something for them. ‘These people in here need help’ were the words he used,” recalled Paul of his father’s appreciation for the care.
“That stayed with us and that’s why it was our ambition as a family to try and get something organised, to give something back and raise awareness - hopefully we’ll have something substantial to give back to them.”
Saturday’s fun day was an idea driven by the family, with St Canice’s and the local community rowing in behind. The proceeds will go to the Foyle Hospice who only receive part of their funding from the public purse. The rest is private, as Paul explains.
“It is very important they receive that (support) to keep the thing going. It’s such a good cause and I know it’s not a situation you ever want to be in. But unfortunately with the amount of cancer there is about, there is a high possibility that other families are going to be looking that sort of help. It’s an invaluable resource to have on your doorstep and we were very, very glad of it.”
CATERING FOR ALL
Starting with a coffee morning and concluding with a Christy Moore tribute night in the club, Saturday’s billing has something for everyone. Bouncy castles for the very young, fun runs and cycling for those looking to expend energy. The focal point will be an over 35 tournament.
There are specially commissioned t-shirts to mark the occasion, all sponsored by the local businesses. Everyone answered the call and put their hand in their pockets - something Murphy was very appreciative of.
“Like everything else the club has a big part to play in it as well. It takes an awful lot of people to get it organised. There are plenty of people willing to help – the community has been very good that way.
“The club have facilities for the whole thing to take place in and the over 35’s – I wanted to base it around Gaelic football, because of the connection there between my father and the GAA.”
From the mid-1960s Andy Murphy played on Dungiven’s senior team and shortly after his retirement he took on the role of club chairman and team manager, bringing the John McLaughlin Cup home on three occasions - 1983, 1984 and 1991.
For all the years of toil and despite Dungiven regularly dining at the top table the top prize eluded him as a player.
“That was one of the things that drove him on,” Paul stated. “They were beat in a couple of county finals (as a player). My Da played 15 years for Dungiven seniors and he had no success with it.
“I remember him saying about the first one (he managed), in 1983, that he could still have been playing. If you’d have known my Da, he was a humorous kind of man and he enjoyed the craic.”
When Andy Murphy’s name ever crops up in football chat, as it often does, one story about the four Murphy brothers is always told.
When put to Paul, he laughs at the thought of it – the early days of tactics. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t ‘that important’ a game but Andy organised the team formation.
“Me and Plunkett will play midfield, Liam you play full-forward, George you play centre-half-back…and the rest of you….just scatter out around us.”
Priceless. He was always destined to a manager.
Liam moved to Glasdrumman, but went into partnership with Andy to form Glasgiven Contracts. George was involved ‘for a while’ and Plunkett, the youngest, worked as a joiner.
Football would dominate the conversation and the banter tells you all you need to know about Andy - the man under the cap.
Did he ever take it off?
“Rarely,” came Paul’s answer. “If he was going into the chapel, or going out for a meal he’d take the cap off. Ever since he started to get light of the hair the cap came out.”
Speaking with pride about his father’s life and managerial career there is an enthusiasm in his voice.
INSPIRATION
In 1997, Paul’s last year of minor, he had his Daddy as manager – the one and only time. Dungiven lost the semi-final to Ballinderry.
“He would have been more involved with Ryan’s team, he was on the 1991 (senior) team and my Da was over that great minor team that they had.
“You had our Ryan, Geoffrey McGonigle, Eunan O’Kane, the McGonigle twins (Marty and Barry) – they were a good team, they won the minors and the Ulster minors.”
All the while Paul was looking on. Without really knowing it, Paul was getting indoctrinated. The youngest brother liked what he was seeing and wanted a piece of the action.
No matter where the car was going, he would hop into the back seat. The successful teams of the 1980s were ‘vague’ memories but winning teams always inspire the youth. With Ryan on the scene and uncle Plunkett at full-forward Dungiven were once again county champions in 1991.
A year earlier, Lavey edged Dungiven out on their way to the All-Ireland title: “I can remember that day. I was always running about with him - it was part of the package.”
After a decorated playing career for club and county, Paul Murphy hung up the boots. In 1997 he picked up an Ulster minor league medal with Derry and later was the young gun on Dungiven’s Derry and Ulster winning side.
A decade on, Murphy was kicking points for fun into the Davin End in the first-half of an All-Ireland Quarter-Final, as Paddy Crozier’s Derry side had the Dubs on the ropes but he was bizarrely withdrawn at half-time.
In 2008 he returned to win a NFL medal, beating Kerry in the final, and continued to play with Dungiven until last season.
This year he is back, in a different capacity. He is the current Dungiven senior manager, a position earlier endorsed by his father.
“In a way, me and him, we would have often discussed management. He would have encouraged me to go into management, he thought I had the right temperament for it.
“I thought it was a wee bit early, but with my father passing away last year, it somehow spurred me on to step in and give a hand with the team. But that was definitely one of the reason’s I took it on.”
All the days of ducking into the back of the car and tagging along to training and games had left an impression on young Murphy.
The memories are engrained. His father enjoyed a joke, but there was a serious side – saved for times it was needed the most.
It was bottled up for the heat of battle: “I know he always enjoyed the craic, but in the changing rooms before matches there was no craic. I can remember back in those days, sitting in the corner – I was half-scared.
“There was a lot of roaring and shouting going on. A lot more than there is now. There was some big men around the changing room, there was a bit of shouting and a bit of slapping that went on. Boys were getting themselves psyched up for the game.”
Playing and managing proved easier than spectating. Like Pat McGuckin in Ballinderry, like Shan McEldowney in Slaughtneil, watching his sons in action didn’t sit well with Andy Murphy.
With Paul and Ryan on the field delivering the club’s finest achievement, the former boss spent the afternoon traipsing behind Clones’ Gerry Arthurs Stand. Fidgeting nervously as his beloved Dungiven saw off Errigal Ciaran to become Ulster champions.
“He got very nervous towards the end,” Paul outlined. “The matches we were playing in, he couldn’t watch them. When we played in the 1997 Ulster Final, he spent the time walking about at the back of the stand.
“He couldn’t watch it, he always said it affected him far more – maybe because me and Ryan were playing. When I saw him after the match that day, he was pure white.”
OVER 35s
On Friday night Paul will try and concoct two vital league points and on Saturday will pull on the boots once again, this time for the over 35’s. Andy will only be there in spirit – yet still kicking every ball.
Bellaghy, Ballinderry and Loup are among the teams making an appearance as former friendships and rivalries are rekindled.
“Slaughtneil are coming, I was chatting to wee Togger (Padríg Kelly), he is definitely going to get a team sorted for me,” Murphy added about his former classmate.
Swatragh are hoping to be there. The local teams are invited – Drum, Craigbane Banagher, Glenullin and Claudy. A confirmed 10 teams but 12 will be the perfect fit.
“It’s 7-a-side and 5 minutes each way. Some people said ten, but three games of that would take its toll on men over 35 years of age,” Murphy surmised.
Before Christmas, there was a social gathering for former Derry players – arranged via the new communication channel of choice - WhatsApp. A few weekends ago, in the depths of Meadowlane, I bumped into Kevin McCloy and Barry Gillis – they were chatting about it.
It is social side of team sports, so often ignored in the era of elitism and ultra-scientific preparation. Murphy agrees but the WhatsApp group was supposed to be a secret. He laughs. So too did McCloy, as he gathers the ‘planning permission’ for another night out.
A core of Murphy’s Derry colleagues will be coming on Saturday – perhaps another reunion will be struck up.
Murphy continued: “It is boys I’ve kept in touch with over the years, I gave them a shout and in fairness they were more than willing.
“You trained and you played hard with those men, there is still a massive respect. I know we didn’t win a pile but still you are putting in lot of hours. It is nice to meet up, have a few pints and have bit of carry on, discuss family lives and children.”
First comes the semi-serious business of the football.
“We’ll have Paddy Bradley, Carton (Paul) and Lockhart (Sean Marty) from Banagher.” Outlined Murphy. “Gavin Conwell from Craigbane, Togger, Big Muldoon, Niall McCusker and big Fergal and the Dohertys from Bellaghy.
“It is a bit of carry on, but it’ll always end up competitive and when you get to the semi-final, you’ll want to win the thing.”
There is a set of trophies for the winners and runners-up. There is a player of the tournament award – but there is one person not getting it.
“I told (Paddy) Bradley he is not getting it, no matter what,” joked Murphy.
In his day, Andy would have watched every kick of a tournament like Saturday. Seldom would there have been better man to select the best player.
After decades of service to the black and white jersey, Saturday marks the memory of Andy Murphy. More importantly, his family are fulfilling his wish to pay back the Foyle Hospice for all their care.
Andy Murphy – the man in the cap.
SATURDAY’S ACTIVITIES
10.30am – Coffee morning
11.00am – Bike Run
11.30am – 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk
2.00pm – Over 35’s tournament
5.00pm – Music session
9.00pm – Christy Moore tribute night
Bouncy Castle, Mini Farm and Kids movie during the day
All events will take place at O’Cahan Park, Dungiven. Proceeds raised will go to the Foyle Hospice
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