His finishing time of 3 : 39.51 was a then Irish record .
In 1969 Murphy beat John Whetton over 1500m in the British AAA Championships only for the roles to be narrowly reversed at the European Athletics Championships in Athens .
Murphy 's finishing time of 3 : 39.51 was a then Irish record .
In 1969 Murphy beat John Whetton over 1500m in the British AAA Championships only for the roles to be narrowly reversed at the European Athletics Championships in Athens .