Garry Murphy wins a second Ashbourne Cup medal
Katie Garry Murphy with the Ashbourne Cup and Margaret Garry Murphy, Molly Garry Murphy and David Blanchfield
Naomh Bríd’s Katie Garry Murphy created her own bit of history when she won a second Ashbourne Cup medal when playing for UCC in the Higher Education All-Ireland senior camogie final when they beat UCD by 2-15 to 0-7 at the DCU grounds recently.
There was surely a touch of irony to her story as she was returning to the college where she won her first Ashbourne Cup medal when playing for DCU in 2022. Having qualified with a degree as a teacher of Physical Education and Mathematics in Dublin she had taken a career change and is now studying for a Masters in Physiotherapy in Cork.
“I was a sub with DCU that day so this one was sweet on the field of play.
"Both were fantastic. To have an Ashbourne medal coming from a smaller county is an achievement and a bit more getting to play and to play the whole championship with UCC, it is special,” said the Carlow camogie player.
She joins an elite number of Carlow camogie players, which includes Ciara Quirke (Myshall and Waterford IT) and Catherine Kavanagh (Mount Leinster Rangers and DCU), who have won Ashbourne Cup winners medals.
Corner back, Garry Murphy, played all but the final seconds of the final for UCC. The eventual winners led 0-9 to 0-1 at half-time and instead of settling for what they had in the second half, they turned the screw and romped to victory.
“UCD had been such a strong side all the way through. We met them in the first round of the championship in the Mardyke. We were really fearful of them. It was a great battle. I am sure the scoreline doesn’t reflect the standard of camogie on the day. Our nerves didn’t settle until that final whistle was blown. We could relax then,” she reflected.
Limerick’s Sarah O’Brien scored 2-2 for UCC in the final while Katie found herself up against Kilkenny’s three-time All-Ireland medal winner, Grace Walsh who was recently featured on the TG 4 Laochra Gael series. It was a pinch me moment for the Carlow player.
“I would never have put myself on a pitch with players of such high standards. It was fantastic. Sarah drove on the team that day and got a well -deserved Player of the Match. Looking at the team there were so many Cork senior players. Abby Walsh from Clare. Aoife Healy and Maeve Murphy have senior All-Ireland medals. I am sure there are more involved. It is great to be playing with high standard intercounty players. You never take those minutes for granted and it really drives on your own camogie. You are learning something every day. A great experience.”
Mount Leinster Rangers player, Sarah Kehoe, experienced heartbreak when featuring on the losing UCD team.
Katie’s time in UCC was not something she had initially planned. Having completed her degree in DCU she listened to what something in her head was saying to her.
“I had never planned to do a Masters so this was something unexpected. I suppose I had studied teaching in DCU and studied to be a PE and Maths teacher. I had physiotherapy in the back of my mind and I said if I don’t go back now I never will.”
She had taken up a teaching job in Monasterevin and when she applied to do a Masters in Cork, she was not sure whether she would be accepted.
“Somehow, I got accepted and so I moved down to Cork in September so I will be a qualified physio at the end of 2027. It is a bit of a career change but I am very happy with my decision overall,” the dual Ashbourne Cup medal winner explained.
“It was not a decision I took lightly. I am glad I had the year teaching and it confirmed what I wanted to do and use that degree for a year. I think it will all be worth it in the long run.” She admits she would not have been able to make the change without the support of her family.
“My Mam is fantastic. My extended family, they are so good. Especially my aunt and uncle, Clare and Podge. They are fantastic. I have never wanted for anything.”
And is there any chance of pulling on a Carlow jersey again?
“Never say never but my intercounty boots are hung up for a while. That is just the way my life has gone. I was living in Dublin, working in Kildare and now living in Cork. I would love to be on that Carlow team when they win their next All-Ireland. I would love to be able to contribute to that. For the minute life is too hectic,” says the history making camogie player, who also helped Old Leighlin to win back their Carlow senior football title last season.
