The Murphys will lead Greystones' drive for first division status at Dr. Hickey Park this season.Former Ireland full back Johnny "Iron Toe" Murphy and John "Spud" Murphy are the coaches and Liam - no nick name yet - Murphy is the club captain.

I can already hear readers, particularly those in the Garden of Ireland, questioning that "Iron Toe "sobriquet but I can assure you it's true, but more of that anon. We all know by now, thanks to that fine, recent, R.T.E. documentary, that Johnny Murphy walked away from Highbury as a fifteen year old, returned to his native Wicklow and in so doing so, quite likely turned his back on fame and fortune.

Well, at least the other three in that famous picture of 27 years ago - commissioned by my old friend Frank Johnstone of the People - Frank Stapleton, Liam Brady and David O'Leary have done pretty well for themselves. Between them, they have clocked up an astonishing 211 appearances for Ireland, become folk heroes and banked a right few quid in the process.

But Murphy has achievements which have eluded the three Arsenal musketeers. Murphy is one of the few men to have played both soccer and rugby for Ireland - the O'Flanagan brothers Kevin and Mick immediately spring to mind - and he is undoubtedly the only man to have also captained Leinster to an Interprovincial Championshhip.

Never mind that he won his Republic International caps at Youth level and that he walked away from Arsenal with a smile as a fifteen year old with a very definite idea of where he wanted to go and with whom.

Murphy's trip back down memory lane - he had not been back to Highbury since the day he decided to come home -was an emotional one, especially meeting Liam Brady and his former landlady and her family. But he has no regrets."I had a decision to make all those years ago and I'm not sorry I opted to come home, it was right then and it's right now" Murphy insisted.

Some of the younger players he now coaches at his beloved Greystones are only now aware that here is a man who has rubbed shoulders with the greats of the beautiful game. But fewer still know that he turned down an opportunity to try out for the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most prestigous American Football sides.

That was back in 1978 when the young Murphy toured North America with his club and the Yanks were mesmerised as the youngster whacked over penalties and conversions from all over the place, distance and angles were no bother. Their American hosts immediately tagged him "iron toe" and the word was out in Houston and Dallas that the touring Irish had an astonishing kicker.

Some would have it that Murphy was offered professional terms with the Cowboys but he can't confirm it. "There was a lot of talk but nobody ever made me a definite offer and even if they had, I would have turned it down." So the home town boy returned to Wicklow, Greystones and rugby and continued to break hearts with his kicking even when he slipped quietly down the ranks to play in the less glamorous but often savagely competitive affairs which light up the end of the season for the true clubman.

And even when he stopped playing competitively he was never far away from the action, ever ready to advise the younger players and exchange post match pleasantries at the bar. Helping to run the family coach and car hire business in Bray and raising a young family kept Murphy busy but when son Brian, nineteen , began to show promise as a loose head prop, John took a more direct interest once more and coached the under 20's last season.

But he had to divide his time so that he could keep a fatherly eye on William , fifteen, who has been impressing quite a few people at that wonderful soccer nursery St. Josephs , Sallynoggin.

However Murphy is no newcomer to the coaching business having given three years to Pres. Bray, where he went to school. And last season his Under 20's were beaten in two semi finals. He will share his coaching duties with former Ireland hooker John Noel Murphy who made his International debut alongside Nick Popplewell against Australia in l993.

Hooker "Spud" Murphy will look after the forwards with John taking the backs and as both speak the same Wicklow dialect it should be a very happy arrangement. But Murphy senior is making no rash promises.

"It's an honour to be able to give something back to the club," he told me. "But there is no magic formula, we desperately want to get back into the first division but it won't be easy." I just hope the experience I have had will help and that I can pass it on , we have made a nice enough start but its far too early in the season to even think of making predictions," he added, "the only certainty is that it will take an awful lot of hard work to get back up with the big boys."

"But there has never been any shortage of help here in the club, it's a question of making sure that its directed properly and one of my aims will be to keep the training interesting and my involvement with soccer should help in this regard."

"But in the final analysis its down to the players, I know we have a willing squad but much will depend on how they work together and of course how they handle any disappointments we may have, this is a crucial aspect because we all know it won't be fair sailing all season."

David O'Leary has recently signed a huge contract with Leeds and his ambition is to bring Manchester United to their knees - tall order - Liam Brady is guiding the destiny of the Arsenal starlets and Frank Stapleton has become a media pundit. Murphy won't bank a shilling for his efforts at Dr. Hickey Park but his job will be just as stressful as O'Leary's in a different way.

And if and when he succeeds in getting "Stones" back into the front rank, I think he should invite his former Highbury pals over for the celebration. It would be nice to get a picture of the likely lads twenty seven years on. Go to it John.

© Tom Keogh 2000

Back to Rugby