PJ Murphy loving his busy life as chairperson of Erin's Own GAA club

When you have the responsibility as chairperson of any GAA senior club, there is a lot of work to consume as you are dealing with many teams queries and issues, and a large membership on a regular basis.

This season Erin’s Own elected lifelong player and member PJ Murphy to the hotseat and he is very much enjoying the role in the early stages.

“I started from a young age and played in the seventies, eighties and nineties so you could say that I have earned the stripes,” said Murphy.

"In 1992, PJ was player selector when Erin’s Own won the Cork senior hurling championship for the first time against Na Piarsaigh with Billy Hegarty and Ned O’Flynn the other two selectors."

Both of PJ’s sons Kieran (hero) and Eoghan represented the club for many years and he enjoyed watching them strut their skills.

“It’s great when you have done your time and then have the opportunity to watch your sons compete at the top level as it gives you an added interest in what is going on,” added Murphy.

The facilities at Caherlag are very well maintained as PJ reflected on the history of the club.

“The club was founded in 1964 and for the first 18 years we had no pitch of our own but the Caherlag pitch Pairc Ui Chonaill was opened in 1982 named after an officer of our club Ger O’Connell.

“That was a major boost to the club and for two decades we were borrowing fields from local landowners to play games but to be fair although being competitive we went to another level when we had our own facilities.” 

Erin’s Own won the intermediate county hurling championship in 1984 and again in 1987 before moving up the senior ranks until last season when they lost their Premier hurling status.

“It was very disappointing as we had been senior longer than junior or intermediate and to lose it wasn’t easy to accept.

“On the other side of the coin we have a big playing population and all of players have reset and I am confident we can get back to playing in the Premier championship sooner than later.

“There is no shame it happened to a big club like Glen Rovers and fair play to them they came back up and I think with the right attitude we can do likewise.” 

This season Erin’s Own have appointed a new manager in Brendan O’Riordan and Murphy believes he has the nucleus of a good squad.

“The lads have been training since December and they seem to be a great atmosphere in the club with all our teams at many levels back working hard for their respective campaigns.” 

There are major plans to improve facilities at Caherlag and the programme was launched at the Radison Hotel in Little Island that attracted a good attendance.

“Erin’s Own attracts the parish of Glounthaune which represents Knockraha, Brooklodge and Little Island communities and presently we have approximately 800 members from underage to adult.

“The bottom line is that we expect this to grow in the coming years and to cater for that we hope to acquire two new pitches as well as improving our existing facilities at Caherlag.

“We are setting out a five- year plan as we have a number of new housing developments in the area and as a community- based club naturally families are drawn to us.” 

The project named Chairde Rogha Eireann under the chairmanship of Dave McNamara has been launched and that group will work with the executive committee to examine potential fundraising activities.

“What we will be looking at is fundraising for our capital projects in terms of borrowing, contributions from our members, sponsorship and government grants and all will be the main pillars of our fundraising.” 

The goodwill in the community is astonishing according to Murphy as he reflected on a recent event.

“We had an open day for our underage recently and we almost had 100 children attend for the first time and all parents were very impressed with our facilities.

“We are proud to say that our present facility is so safe for children with everything available that’s needed for all ages.

“There is great governance at our club with loyal volunteers too many to name but all willing to give many crucial hours in helping to keep us afloat.” 

There is little doubt with all the plans for improvement in facilities the forthcoming Senior A championship that will see Erin’s Own pitted against Na Piarsaigh, Killeagh and Fermoy in a group they will be expected to qualify from at the business end of the championship.

“The senior A grade is competitive with so many teams feeling they should be competing in the Premier grade so we will have to be ready to battle.”