Niall Murphy was one of the best Irish players to ever play the game of basketball

From the basketball court to the courthouse.

That's the journey Cork basketball star, UCC Demons Niall Murphy has made over the past few years. 

Now working as a solicitor at his father’s solicitor’s firm, Finbarr Murphy Solicitors, Niall now spends hid days working at the Cork court house.

Murphy has found his happy place both in the workplace and his personal life.

Murphy was one of the best Irish basketball players to grace the hardwood in this country when he lined out with the Blue Demons club. 

He was probably one of the first Irish players that could play above the rim.

Despite standing at just six feet tall, he was able to do it all on the floor, as his athleticism and soft touch around the basket made him basically unstoppable at times.

Now at the age of 39, Murphy recently qualified as a solicitor and works with his father Finbarr and his mother Eilish at the family law firm that is based in Washington Street.

Niall began his basketball career as a very shy five year-old with the Sunday’s Well club in the nursery with Seanie Murphy. 

He quickly blossomed into a standout player which earned him a scholarship at the Trinity-Pauling Prep School when he was 17 years old. 

He spent two years in the New York School, before returning to play Super League with his boyhood club. 

However, in his 11 years playing at the highest level he went through his fair share of injuries.

He tore his ACL in his left knee twice, suffered a very nasty finger injury and picked up a very bad ankle injury that saw him retire at the age of 30.

Despite these setbacks, he still achieved so much on the court.

“I started playing with Blue Demons when I arrived at the club’s nursery as a shy five year old,” Niall said.

“I soon made some life-long friends and as once I became comfortable with my surroundings, I began to love the sport. 

"As I got older, the lads like Dave Murphy, Danny O’Mahony, Carton Cuff and Anthony O’Callaghan and myself formed a great relationship on and off the court, and we had some great success. 

"In my final year playing juvenile basketball I received a scholarship offer from Trinity-Pauling Prep School and I spent two wonderful years in New York.

“On my return, Demons were back playing in the Super League and I immediately wanted to be part of the journey with my boyhood club.

“We had an amazing and successful period where we won a lot of national honours and in truth, it was an incredible experience and one of the best periods of my life.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t all rosy in the garden, as I had my fair share of injuries.

"I tore my ACL in my left knee twice, really damaged one of my fingers, and I still can’t bend it today, however, when I blew out my ankle I knew that I had no choice but to retire at the age of 30, as I knew my body couldn’t take it any more."

Niall has been working for most of his adult life.

He started working at EMC, however, six years ago he began another life-changing journey when he decided to change his profession by becoming a solicitor. 

He has studied hard for the six years and now, eight exams later, he is a qualified solicitor working in his family’s law firm Finbarr Murphy Solicitors. 

The 39 year-old also got married to his girlfriend Nicole during Covid and they have two beautiful children, Daniel and Aoibhin.

“I worked at EMC for over 20 years, but six years ago I decided to follow in my father’s footsteps and I began to study law. 

"To be honest, it was a very challenging six years, however, it was one of the best decisions of my life. 

"I honestly love my job as it gives me a chance to get to work with my father and my mother. 

"Every day can be challenging as no day goes without having to deal with something that pushes me outside my comfort zone, but I wouldn’t change a thing as I love it.

“To see my parents in action everyday is incredible. I couldn’t be prouder of both of them,.

"I now know, after the last six years working with them, all the hard work they have out in over the last 40 years has been incredible, as they built up a very good law practice from Washington Street.

“I recently brought my son Daniel to the Demons academy and I help Darren and Steven O’Leary when I can, however, I will leave him make his own pathway in whatever sport he decides to play and will put no pressure on him whatsoever,” Murphy added.