22 February 2018
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Dr. Con Murphy, Cork Person of the Month for January 2018. Picture, Tony O’Connell Photography.
Dr. Con Murphy is the February Cork Person of the Month
Mention Cork GAA and one of the first names that pops into your head is the iconic Dr Con Murphy, team doctor, mentor and friend to generations of Cork hurlers and footballers.
Dr Con is a giant in Cork and Irish GAA circles and is celebrating 42 years of voluntary involvement with the Cork and UCC hurling and football teams this year. He has now been awarded a Cork Person of the Month award to mark his contribution.
Dr Con’s interest in sport comes from his famous father Weeshie Murphy, who won an All-Ireland medal with the Cork football team in 1945 and later served as Chairman of the Munster GAA Council.
Dr Con’s involvement with Cork teams stretches back to 1956 when he served as mascot for that year’s All-Ireland final. Affectionately known as “The Doc”, Con Murphy has been involved with 25 senior Cork All-Ireland winning teams, as well as numerous successful minor and under 21 teams along the way. He has been a great friend and confidant to multiple players and UCC students over the years.
“I’m humbled and very much appreciative of this award, I am privileged to have been involved with Cork GAA for so many years,” said Dr Con.
Ger Cunningham, Texaco Hurler of the Year in 1986 and widely regarded as one of the greatest hurling goalkeepers in the history of the game, and a friend of Dr. Con Murphy said. “I’m delighted Dr Con is a Cork Person of the Month as will many players that sat in his surgery at the Mardyke or sat in his living room or received that handshake in a dressing room before and after a match and had the pleasure of his words of wisdom and warm friendship.”
Awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan added: “We have all heard some great stories about the support, guidance and friendship Dr Con has offered to numerous players over the years and the one theme that consistently shines through is the fondness these players have for him. Dr Con has been a great ambassador for Cork and he is known throughout the country for his kindness, warmth and affable personality.
“He is a deserving winner of the February Cork Person of the Month award and his name now goes forward for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at a Gala Awards event next January.”
