Club Tribute to Seán Murphy RIP - one of the greatest Rovers
Seán Murphy RIP
Such sad news to begin the New Year of 2026 with the death of Club stalwart Sean Murphy. As a player, supporter, member and friend to all Sean Murphy was truly a Bride Rovers legend. He proudly donned the Green, White and Gold jersey of the Club for nearly twenty years and excelled in both hurling and football.
Sean played with Cork under21 and Intermediate sides, with the Imokilly senior team and with his Co Op in Inter Firm competitions but above all else he was a Bride Rovers man, first and last. Years before the GAA was founded Patrick (Big Patsy) Murphy of Raheen, Kildinan starred in the pre GAA ‘rough and tumble’ football of the early 1880’s. When Clubs were formed in Rathcormac fFootball) and Bartlemy (hurling) in 1887 Patrick Murphy starred in both codes and Captained Rathcormac to a County Title in 1889. In the 1930’s Patrick’s sons Jim and Bill played junior and Intermediate for the newly formed Bride Rovers Club. Jim Murphy was an ever present and prominent member and mentor of the Club until his death.
When Jim’s sons Sean and Paudie came ‘of age’ for hurling the club here was at a low ebb. In 1962 and 1963 no team was entered from the parish. The Murphy brothers threw in their lot with Castltownroche -with great success. In 1963 and 1964 Castletown won the North Cork under 21 titles with Sean and Paudie starring. Castletownroche won the County Intermediate Championship in 1964 with Sean at midfield. That same year Sean played under 21 with Cork- a campaign that saw the team well beaten by Tipperary. The following year Sean played on the Cork Intermediate team in their first round victory over Tipperary. 1966 saw the Murphy brothers line out with Bride Rovers in the East Cork B Grade Junior Hurling Championship. A Golden Era had begun for the Rovers with a Junior B East Cork win followed by two Junior A titles in 1968 and 1969 . Sean Murphy was a truly inspirational player -with the Rovers he played at midfield, in defence and as a forward. Wherever he played Sean always gave of his best. He was teak tough, fearless and a player who was near impossible to mark. His displays in the 1973 East Cork Final against Erins Own - draw and replay, were outstanding. Though living in Castlemartyr after his marriage to Theresa, Sean was always first at training. We had good years and bad years but Sean was such in inspirational figure in every game. The 1970’s were the ‘so near and yet so far’ years for Bride Rovers but win or lose, year after year Sean was there. He was full back on the Mossy Dooley captained Junior A team that won the East Cork League in 1981. Sean played Junior B hurling and football in his last year, 1982. He loved Bride Rovers and was so delighted with the Club’s successes since 1998.
I became Club Secretary in 1975 and always had such an admiration for Sean Murphy. Yes he wanted to win and loved winning but for him playing and doing your best for Bride Rovers and giving your all was the most important thing. Thanks to Theresa and the family for giving Bride Rovers the gift of Sean for so many years. Sean, we mourn your going but will forever marvel at what you did for the Rovers for so many years.
