Tommy Murphy, 1921-1985

By Frank Meehan
Extracted from "Laois Yearbook" 1989

Tommy Murphy was born in Graiguecullen in 1921. Educated at Knockbeg College, he married Miss Breda Keating. They had three sons Andy, Eddie and Tommy and four daughters, Mrs Bally Morrissey, Mrs Nuala MacRory, Mrs Deirdre King and Mrs Enda John. In Laois football the name of Tommy Murphy will live forever because indeed the maestro of Laois was the greatest in Ireland. In the thirties and forties his was a household name all over Ireland. He won Provincial medals in 1937, 1938 and 1946. He first won fame against Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final in 1937. The following year his team won the Leinster College Championship. He played for Laois Minors when he was only 15 years old. Won eight Laois Senior medals and the Railway Cup medals. He toured the United States with the Laois team just before the war.

His last game for Laois was against Wexford in the 1953 Championship and two years later he played his last game, Graiguecullen v Annanough.

For many years he worked as a Land Stewart and later with the Department of Post and Telegraphs. He contested the 1948 election for Laois-Offaly as a Clan na Pobhactha candidate but failed to get a seat.

Tommy Murphy died of a heart attack in May 1985 and was buried in his beloved Graiguecullen.

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