The death of Barney Murphy
Memories of a grand old team, and the grand old 'ballers' who comprised it, came welling up, when, at Karrakatta last Saturday, a little knot of men stood with bowed heads round the graveside of 'Barney' (Bernard) Murphy. Fleeting visions of George Coulthard (undoubtedly the finest footballer Australia ever saw), and scores of others, came crowding to the mind. And Barney of Carlton, was Coulthard's right-hand man.
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Scarcely more than eleven stone in weight, he was. How he used to battle in the welter of ruck duels! Those were the days when four men from each side comprised the pack, when tripping, rabbiting and hacking were all permissable.
Very few could look back to as famous and as honorable association with athletics generally as the fine old Carltonite, who passed out at just the allotted three score years and ten. Barney was not only a champion amongst footballers; he was practically an even-time runner, and in fire brigade sports a well-known hydrant man, with a sensational turn of speed.
Essentially generous, a thorough gentleman, Barney Murphy left behind him an indelible impression of thorough good sportsmanship.
It is a matter for regret that the twilight days of such a career should have brought with them the hard times they did. At one time holding responsible positions, poor old Barney finally died in the seclusion of the Old Men's Home—a victim to a serious internal trouble. Peace be to his ashes! He was a white man, and in the loneliness of his passing, there was something ineffably sad!
'Old Dark Blue' adds his memories (The Daily News)
On the 11th inst. at Perth there passed away at the age of 70 years Bernard (Barney) Murphy, an old footballer, and all round athlete of Victorian fame. He arrived in Victoria about 56 years ago, and after finishing his scholastic career at St.Xavier's College, Melbourne, he entered the Victorian Civil Service, from which he later resigned to accept the position of accountant at the Carlton Brewery in Carlton.
Being of strong physique combined with exceptional energy and stamina, he entered the athletic arena and became a player and competitor in many spheres of sport. He was most versatile in his sporting achievements. The list of his successes and prizes won is a long one, and his record as an all-round athlete would be hard to beat.
He was a prominent follower and half-back player in the old famous Carlton Football Club of the seventies, and was one of the pioneers of the old school of the Australian game, when the two leading clubs, Carlton (dark blues) and Melbourne (reds), fought strenuously and manfully to achieve supremacy.
Some of his club mates of the time, about 1875, were George Coulthard, Jack Donovan, Jack Gardiner, George Robertson, Paddy Gunn, Billy Geer, and Billy Dedman, and there are some old rivals of the Melbourne and other clubs who still survive, one of whom is Mr Justice Cussen of Victoria.
The deceased was a foremost sprinter in his day, and was well known amongst old pedestrians, and on one occasion was matched against an English runner of note in races held on the old Friendly Society Ground in which honors were about evenly divided.
As a leading member of the noted Carlton Brewery Fire Brigade (volunteers), Barney Murphy will be remembered by old competitors and firemen in their brigade demonstrations not only in Melbourne but also in Ballarat, Bendigo, Maryborough, and other districts of Victoria, and often when the call to duty on a fire came Barney would sprint ahead of the brigade and be ready for the brigade's arrival at the scene. It might be mentioned that this brigade was splendidly equipped and financed by the proprietor of the brewery, the late Mr E. Latham, a fine old English gentleman.
As an old Victorian cyclist of no mean calibre Barney will not be forgotten by the old Fernside Bicycle Club and other old cyclists. He was a competitor in the Austral wheel races of those times of spectacular racing on the high machines, and when that great rider, Tom Bursts, thrilled the crowds with his dashing sprints and racing.
Another favorite pastime of the old sport was the art of self-defence, and on Saturday nights after an afternoon's game of football he and his club mate, George Coulthard, would often be participants in bouts at Abe Hicken's rooms with leading lights of the fistic art, and among whom were Jem Mace(the world's heavy-weight champion of those times), Abe Hicken, Peter Jackson,and other celebrities.
He was known in other circles of sport, rowing, cricket, etc.,but those previously mentioned were those in which he excelled and was widely known.One would think that such a career was beyond human endurance; yet to the end of his days his limbs were like bands of steel, and his past strenuous athletic life was innowise accountable for his demise.
He came to W.A. about 26 years ago, and in his later years took part in the Old Brigade carnivals and was honored by being elected captain of the old Victorian football team in the games held at the carnivals, and at which on one occasion the old boys mounted the old veteran on a high pedestal and greeted him with a salve of cheers—a fitting tribute to this grand old sport.
When the time came for the real combat and battle of life and volunteers were sought for in the time of the great war the old warrior presented for enlistment, and was passed as medically fit, but he was a very disappointed man when he was turned down on account of his age, especially as the medical officer had commented to him so favorably on his physical fitness.
Barney had many fine qualities, and with his personality and quiet,unassuming nature, he endeared himself to all who knew him, and many of his old friends, comrades, and rivals in sport will recall pleasant memories of the good old days when they think of him. The deceased came of an old military and professional family well known in the hunting fields of Ireland and England. His father was a Melbourne solicitor, and his brother Eustace and nephew are in practice in the same profession in Melbourne.
These are memories subscribed by an ‘Old Dark Blue’.
Footnotes
Title: The late Barney Murphy: An old footballer and athlete.
Author: ‘Old Dark Blue’
Publisher: The Daily News (Perth, WA: 1882-1950)
Date: Monday, 28 January 1924. Edition: Third, p.6 Article
Link: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82560198
Title: Vale Barney Murphy
Author: Mirror Staff Writer
Publisher: Mirror (Perth, WA: 1921-1956)
Date: Saturday, 19 January 1924, p.2 Article
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