LONG-SERVING CORK footballer Nicholas Murphy has brought the curtain down on his inter-county career after sixteen seasons as a member of the Rebels squad.
Murphy informed Cork manager Conor Counihan of his decision this week with his substitute appearance in August’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to Donegal proving to be his last outing in a Cork senior jersey.
The 34 year-old’s departure was confirmed in an official statement on the Cork GAA website and it is understood that work commitments influenced Murphy’s decision as he manages his own company, National Flooring Ltd, based in his home town of Carrigaline in Cork.
Murphy was the last remaining link to the Cork team which started the 1999 All-Ireland final against Meath, having made his debut in the National League in 1997 against Tipperary.
He suffered heartbreak in that decider against the Royals and was also at midfield on the Cork team which lost out in the 2007 and 2009 All-Ireland finals against Kerry.
But the highlight of his career arrived in 2010 when he claimed that elusive All-Ireland senior football medal as he came on as a substitute on the Cork team that overturned Down in the final in Croke Park. Last year Murphy was largely restricted to substitute appearances but he regained a starting berth this season and grabbed a goal during Cork’s Munster final win over Clare in the Gaelic Grounds in July.
That success secured Murphy his sixth provincial senior title while he also won an Allstar award in 2006. Murphy also notably won an All-Ireland hurling title in 2004 at intermediate level, coming on as a substitute when Cork defeated Kilkenny.
Cork boss Conor Counihan praised Murphy for his contribution.
“I have been involved with Nicholas from the beginning of his senior career when he joined the panel in 1997, and he has remained a constant ever since over the past 16 years. In that time, he was an outstanding player and a joy to work with.
“His commitment and attitude were second to none, and he led by example. He was one of Cork’s greatest ever midfield players and his list of achievements over three decades proves beyond doubt what a great player he was. We wish him well in his sporting and business career over the coming years.”
Nicholas Murphy Playing Honours
1 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (2010)
5 National Football Leagues (1999, 2009, 2010, 2011, & 2012)
6 Munster Senior Football Championships (1999, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009 & 2012)
1 All-Star 2006,
1 All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship 2004
1 County IHC 2008
1 County IFC 2009
1 Inter-provincial medal (2008 Captain).
