Frank Murphy inducted into Athletics Ireland Hall of Fame

At a most enjoyable Athletics Ireland Awards lunch held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry today Clonliffe Harrier Frank Murphy was inducted into the Athletics Ireland Hall of Fame. Frank is a Clonliffe legend. This year is the 45th anniversary of his greatest International success winning the silver medal in the 1500m Final 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 over 1500m in a time of 3.49.0.

He is 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 1500four years later he represented Ireland again at the 1972 Olympics in Munich over 800m and 1500m.

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.

In accepting his award today Frank commented on his early days with Clonliffe recalling his fond memories of “running through the fields where we were now standing”.

Another Clonliffe Harrier was also honoured Sara McCormack was awarded the Mountain Runner of the Year award.

frank murphy

To view footage of Frank`s 1969 AAA 1500 victory click: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwxbECcn6zk