Douglas stalwart Eddie Murphy on the challenges faced by modern city GAA clubs

FOR many decades the GAA has produced loyal members in every corner of Ireland. 

In the case of Douglas diehard Eddie Murphy, his loyalty to Gaelic games saw him recently elected as the new secretary of the city Seandún division.

Eddie has had a lifetime playing, coaching and in administration as he reflected on his experiences with his beloved club.

“I got involved with the club playing in the mid-'60s but I suppose it not until 1973 that I got my coaching badge at Thomond so this year it will be 51 years coaching at various levels,” he said.

Eddie was also a Bord na nÓg delegate in 1977 when the meetings took place in the Rob Roy and from there he moved into the role of secretary of that board.

The list of teams that Eddie has been involved with is mind-boggling always available to help his club and he has worked with many top stars when they began their playing careers with Douglas.

"I had a mixed brand of players like Luke Fitzgerald, who went to play with Leinster, Ireland and the Lions, David Meyler was also under my tutorship and the current players like the Cadogan brothers Eoin and Alan with Sean Powter and Shane Kingston."

Recalling the early days at Douglas finding people to coach was a near impossibility.

“In the early '70s, we were very thin on the ground and only Brendan Larkin and I were the two main people coaching as at the time we were only a Junior club." 

Coaching at schools level is also a task that Eddie has fulfilled for the last 31 years but Eddie believes the amount of players he has coached over the years has been a labour of love.

“I had the privilege to work with some very talented players who went on to have great careers and to be honest I enjoyed every minute of it as I still stay in touch with many of them.” 

Many pundits in Cork GAA circles are shocked that Douglas haven’t made the breakthrough at senior and Eddie had some interesting views on this subject.

“It’s very interesting from my point of view as I can see the talent but the one thing I do feel is that Douglas is an area that has got so big as it’s an affluent region.

To succeed at the top tier you got to be prepared to go the extra mile and that’s down to our society with so many other options out there today. 

"If a rural club was to have the players that Douglas have produced since the '80s through to the present day they would have benefitted more.” 

Another interesting thought from Murphy was his idea of how the GAA is structured.

"The GAA was built on small parishes and that’s the way it will always be but when clubs get too big they can lose sight but looking at our neighbours Nemo Rangers I greatly admire them but for Douglas we are presently off the mark but hopefully that will change sooner than later."

STRONG

Coming into the role as the new secretary of Seandún is a demanding role but one that Eddie will relish.

"Seandún is close to my heart and Ballinlough and my one of abiding memories is playing with Douglas in 1975 in an U21 hurling final and marking the legendary Jimmy Barry Murphy.” 

Over his involvement with the GAA Murphy also refereed for 40 years so there is little this man hasn’t done in the sport.

“I am now giving some more back to the GAA as they were very good to me when my parents passed away and my latest role is the next chapter in my role as an administrator.

“There is a very strong committee in Seandun and we will be working hard to ensure that clubs are happy and teams are getting enough games to keep their players tuned in.

“There have been great people like Donal O’Connor, Mick Barry and Seanie McCarthy in this role and I am very proud to following these gentlemen.” 

There is little doubt Seandún have found a very professional man in Eddie Murphy as a new horizon beckons for the city division.