Clonliffe`s double European silver medallist Frank Murphy passes away (updated)

Frank Murphy Sr. has passed away in the past couple of hours. Frank was a Clonliffe legend and one of the best athletes ever to come from these shores. Nationally he was the dominant middle distance athlete of the late 1960s and early 1970s winning titles in 1966 and 1967 (Mile), 1969 (1500), 1970 (800 & 1500), 1971 (1500), 1972 (800) and 1976 (800). In 1969 he won the first ever AAA 1500 title in 3.40.90. His greatest International success was the winning of the silver medal in the 1500m at the 1969 European Athletics Championships in Athens in a time of 3.39.51, a new Irish Record. Frank’s success continued the following year when he was again the silver medallist this time at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Vienna in a time of 3.49.0.

He was a two time Clonliffe Olympian representing Ireland at the Mexico Olympics in the 1500m in 1968 and in 1972 at the Munich Olympics at both 800 and 1500.

Frank is forever linked to the Morton Mile having placed second to the great Kenyan athlete Kip Keino in a time of 3.59.3 in the first ever Morton Mile in 1970 a race which he subsequently won in 1976. He ran his mile personal best of 3.58.6 in 1968 becoming Ireland’s fourth fastest ever at the time.

Whilst a student at Villanova in the USA he won the prestigious NCAA Indoor Title over 880yards in 1969; other highlights of his university career included numerous successes with his college team at the world famous Penn Relays.

Further cementing his legendary status Murphy was one of only five Irish athletes to have ever run under 1.48 (800m), 3.40 (1500m) and 14.00 (5,000m). In 2014 Frank was inducted into the Athletics Ireland Hall of Fame.

Clonliffe are truly saddened by Frank`s passing. He was a world class athlete, a two time Olympian, two time European silver medallist, an inspiration to many a young Harrier, an advisor and gentleman. Nil desperandum.

Arrangements courtesy of RIP.ie:

Murphy, Frank (Dublin) (Olympian and Honorary Life member of Clonliffe Harriers) – 5th. January 2017 (peacefully) in the loving care of the Doctors, Nurses and staff of TLC, Santry. Deeply regretted by his loving daughters Joanne and Susan and their mother Margaret, his partner Yuk, his sister Eileen, son-in-law Liam, brother-in-law Kieran, nephew, nieces and his very many friends at home and abroad in the world of international sport.

Rest in Peace

Reposing at the Kirwan Funeral Home, Fairview Strand from tomorrow (Saturday) with gathering for family and friends on Sunday from 2pm to 4pm with family in attendance. Removal on Monday morning to St. Columba’s Church, Iona Road for 11 o’clock Requiem Mass followed by Funeral to Glasnevin Cemetery. Family flowers only and donations in lieu, if desired, to Alzheimer Society of Ireland.