| Martin Murphy was born in 1922 in Lisnaskea, the son of an ex R.I.C. man Patrick Murphy murdered- by the I.R.A. in Belfast in 1942. In an outstanding career as a Detective and a footballer Murphy could easily be described as one of the father figures of Police Football. A determined wing half he was Captain of the R.U.C. and the British Police.
In 1947 he represented Gt. Britain and N.I. along with Bobby Smyth and George Brown in seven nations tournament in Leiden. South Holland where he met his wife Mica. In an era when there was police internationals between the four home countries on one famous occasion he played for Northern Ireland against Wales (1953) at Cliftonville when Northern Ireland won by a corner after a 3-3 draw.
In local soccer he played for Linfield Swifts and Brantwood then playing at Dunmore Park where he spent ten happy years. Playing for Brantwood was the legendry Tommy Dickson and Len Graham both of whom went on to play for Northern Ireland. Leaving Brantwood he later distinguished himself playing with Newry Town, Banbridge and Ballymena Utd.
Playing in a Police team that included such outstanding footballers such as Bobbie Smyth, Jim McKinistry, George Brown and Dennis Moloney between 1945 and 1955 Murphy was never booked or sent off. He retired from the R.U.C. as a D/Head Constable. In 2006 he was the first player elected to the Police Football Hall of Fame. |
