Late Mick Murphy ‘brought a bit of heaven’ to Longford and 'radiated selfless happiness'

The funeral of well known Longford basketball coach Mick Murphy took place on Monday morning in St Mel’s Cathedral.

Mick died on Friday last, May 31 following a short illness. Mick was instrumental in developing basketball in Longford, in both the Falcons and Torpedo clubs.

Mick, a native of Co Kerry, first came to Longford in 1970 to serve in Connolly Barracks.

Fr Michael McGrath told the mourners that, “Mick radiated selfless happiness.”

“We trust that Mick Murphy now knows what heaven is like. He brought a bit of heaven himself. He formed generations of basketballers in Longford,” Fr McGrath added.

Fr. McGrath went on to describe the “happy places” that Mick enjoyed in his life.

“These included the quiet of St Mel’s Cathedral in the afternoon and the bypass where he went walking with his dog Mollie. But the happiest place for him was his home in College Park. Overall, Mick was one happy man,” he stated.

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Fr McGrath went on to tell mourners about the struggles that Mick had faced in recent weeks. “A rare lung condition brought a sudden decline in Mick’s health in recent weeks. But he carried that cross. Surrounded by his family, he found the comfort and strength to take that final step,” he said.

“The army barracks brought wonderful people to our town,” Fr. McGrath added.

Addressing the congregation, his son Michael junior, said that, “Mick came from an orphanage in Kerry in the 1950’s. He went on to have a life well lived, that was full of accomplishments and firsts.”

While basketball was what his father was best known for, Michael junior said that, “basketball is not who Mick was. He was an inspiration, a teacher and a kind and funny, loyal guy,” he stated.

His other son, Shane, told mourners that his father had “the ability to spot when someone was struggling.”

“He was one of the most successful coaches in Ireland,” Shane added.

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In later years, Shane told the congregation, Mick had taken to art as a pastime. “He let his creative side out. He could create something from nothing,” he said.

Mick was also a devoted Kerry GAA supporter and a jersey was brought to the altar as one of the gifts.

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Following the Funeral Mass in St Mel’s Cathedral he was laid to rest in Ballymacormack cemetery.

Predeceased by his mother Bridget and by his daughter Laura, the late Mick Murphy 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. May he rest in peace.