This writer’s earliest memory of Billy Murphy was not GAA related. Instead, it was as a child calling down to Billy Murphy’s bike shop on the Main Street with my friends to get either the breaks or a puncture fixed on our bikes. I have clear memories of a very warm welcome and a great man to fix a bike no matter what the problem. For many, Billy’s bike shop was the focal point of many a GAA related discussion with the travails of Portarlington GAA teams a regular hot topic.
On the field, Billy was known for being a speed merchant of a forward. Billy was a panel member on the 1954 and 1955 senior county championship winning teams. His finest moment came in 1959 where he started at half forward in the senior county final win against Portlaoise. Looking back at the old photos, this was a real golden era for the club with the names of multiple great Port men just rolling off the tongue. Billy’s name can sit proudly among these names.
Off the field, The Port Show and the name Billy Murphy will forever be connected. For many years, Billy was the driving force behind The Port Show both off the stage and most memorably on the stage. He was known for being a capable actor and entertainer. He was particularly strong with comedy sketches which gave people of the town and beyond great laughs and memories. Despite being a teetotaller his sketch of the drunk man was said to be particularly funny. In his later years, Billy was a huge supporter of the club. He could be seen at any senior, intermediate, junior, or juvenile game. He would regularly drop in on training to check up on how things were going. He particularly enjoyed the recent success of our senior team and took immense pride in the starring role played by his grandson Robbie. Billy's grandson's Oisin and Darragh also play with the club. Billy's contribution to the club was recognized when he was made joint club President. His warm, unassuming, polite demeanour was a real joy to be in the presence of. It is these traits that mark him as a great Port man and someone all Port people should look up to. Perhaps that will be his greatest legacy.
Billy will be sadly missed by his loving family Jean, Eddie, Una and Noel, sisters Ethna and Noreen, brothers Christy, Timmy, PJ and Eugene, daughters-in-law Carol and Sinead, partners Paul and Tom, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, neighbours and many friends and by all who knew and loved Billy.
