Sadness in Longford at death of basketball supremo Mick Murphy

There was great sadness in Longford town and beyond this week, following the death of Mick Murphy.

Co. Kerry native Mick, who lived in College Park, was instrumental in developing basketball for many decades in Longford.

Mick was a founding member of both the Torpedo and Falcons basketball clubs in Longford.

He was also well known in army circles, having first moved to Longford to serve in Connolly Barracks, as part of the 12th Infantry Battalion, in 1970.

They were one of the units whose job was to patrol the border area, as the Troubles took hold.

Mick died on Friday last, following a short illness. 

Mick left the army in the 1980’s and worked for many years for the ESB in Lanesborough Power Station. In later years, he spent 10 years working in St. Vincent’s Hostel.

Mick was husband to Marion and father to Michael, Shane and Paula.

He was an international basketball referee who was highly regarded as one of the best in the country. In 2012, he was inducted into Longford Sports Hall of Fame for his contribution to sport in the county.

Countless young basketballers were mentored by Mick. 

He passed his love for the sport on to his children and his eldest son, Michael junior, coached for many years. 

Mick spoke to the Humans of Longford page in August last year, marking the occasion of his 50th wedding anniversary.

“The secret of 50 happy years being married ?..Marian says that once I do what she tells me, then we’re happy out !!!…but, yea, 50 years of pure happiness..,” Mick told Humans of Longford.

“We once had an American basketballer staying with us and he said if I got a dollar for every hour I coached basketball  I’d be a millionaire…but you know, there are rich people who are miserable and my basketball days brought me immense joy and isn’t that more important…I loved it and was extremely happy being involved…,” he added.

Mick is predeceased by his mother Bridget and by his daughter Laura.

Mick will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his family, his beloved wife Marian, daughter Paula, sons Michael and Shane, grandchildren Joshua, Thomas, Corey and Millie, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

His remains will repose at Glennon’s Funeral Home, Ballinalee Road (N39 EC81) on Monday 3rd June from 5.00pm concluding with prayers at 8.00pm. Mass of the Resurrection takes place on Tuesday 4th June at 11.00am in St.Mel’s Cathedral, with interment afterwards in Ballymacormack cemetery.