Burr Murphy RIP
We learned yesterday of the sad news that JB (Burr ) Murphy, had passed away. Burr was one of a small group of Hon Life Members of Dolphin RFC.
Burr started his long association with the club in the 1930’s as an Under 14. He followed his older brothers Donal & Ted to Dolphin.In 1942-43 he won Minor League & Cup medals with Dolphin and a Senior Cup medal with CBC, team mates that year included Gerald Reidy & Jim McCarthy.
In 1948-49 he won a Cork Charity Cup medal, but was on the losing side in that season’s Munster Senior Cup Final.
In the early 70’s he was one of the main drivers responsible for reforming the Dolphin Youth Section and became Club President in 1972/73.
In the 1990’s Burr was responsible for writting our club anthem “We are Dolphin once Again” and for years would lead victorious Dolphin teams in rousing renditions of back in the dressing room. He was so proud to see players from Minis up singing his club anthem. He rarely missed an AIL game until ill health stopped him but he still followed closely and he knew everything that was going on in the club.
For the clubs centenary a Club History was written and Burr was responsible for a chapter, called very appropriately ” The Club I Love so well”
It may have been 16 years ago but 2 paragraphs are well worth reprinting here.
“Dolphin over the years has been a 2nd family to me, and happily I have maintained the friendships I made in my Youth and made more with the new generations that continue to come along.”
“The season just gone past may not have been our greatest for one reason or another but our thanks must go to those who stuck with it through thick and thin. I would appeal to our present playing members to remain with the club after they hang up their boots. If you do this you can be assured of the same pride and pleasure that Dolphin has given me.”
Burr was always an entertainer, loved his music, remembered for being a ventriloquist and his singing dogs.
He will be sadly missed, by all his friends in the Club he loved so well.
Burr’s wife Mary passed away many years ago, she was another great servent of the club, putting in many hours in the kitchen, serving all the visiting teams alongside the likes of Anne Reidy & Enna Hodkinson.
Our condolences go to their daughters Caroline, Helen & Eithne, sons in law and many grandchildren.