John Murphy (Down Gaelic footballer)
# John Murphy (Down Gaelic footballer)

John Murphy (1948 – 21 May 2020) was an Irish Gaelic footballer, manager, coach and selector. His career included All-Ireland Championship victories as a player and later as a coach and selector with the Down senior football team.

## Playing career

From the Newry Shamrocks club, Murphy won a MacRory Cup medal with Abbey CBS in 1964, before featuring for the Down minor team at midfield in their All-Ireland final loss to Mayo in 1966. Two years later, as a forward on the Down senior team, Murphy scored a goal in the team's 1968 All-Ireland final victory over Kerry. The team had claimed the 1967-68 National League title earlier in the season. As a player, Murphy also won two Railway Cup medals with Ulster and two Ulster Championship titles.

## Coaching career

Alongside Pete McGrath, Murphy was part of the management team that saw Down win All-Ireland Championships in 1991 and 1994. Later he helped guide Mayobridge to three consecutive county senior championships from 2004 to 2006.

## Death

Murphy died on 21 May 2020.

## Honours

### Player

**Abbey CBS**

* MacRory Cup (1): 1964

**Down**

* All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (1): 1968
* Ulster Senior Football Championship (1): 1968, 1971
* National Football League (1): 1967-68
* Ulster Minor Football Championship (1): 1966

**Ulster**

* Railway Cup (2): 1970, 1971

### Coach

**Mayobridge**

* Down Senior Football Championship (3): 2004, 2005, 2006

**Down**

* All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (2): 1991, 1994
* Ulster Senior Football Championship (1): 1991, 1994
