Not many households in the country can boast of having two All Ireland winners in the family, particularly in the demanding sport of motorcycle racing. However, the Murphy Brothers from Mountcollins have achieved this remarkable feat – and there is promise of still more to come!
Andrew Murphy (17) is a student at Abbeyfeale Vocational School and is studying for his Leaving Certificate Examination. He got his first track bike in 2005, and by 2006 he had recorded a major victory at famed Mondello Park. Later that year he won the prestigious NDM 125cc Aprilia Championship (an All Ireland competition) and qualified for the world championships in Valencia.
In 2007 Andrew again competed in the world championships, this time in Sachsenring, Germany. He won his qualifying round and advanced to the finals at Le Mans, in the South of France.
He stepped on to the winner’s podium again in 2009 when he recorded a fine victory in the Clubman’s 600cc Supersport Championship after racing and beating over 90 riders from north and south of the border.
Andrew is a member of Knocknagoshel Boxing Club and he reached the semi-finals in the National Stadium in 2007. He holds four county medals at under-age level with Mountcollins GAA Club.
Younger brother, Darragh (14) is also a student at Abbeyfeale Vocational School and will sit his Junior Certificate Examination in June. He began grass track and motocross racing aged 11, and in 2008 he finished 4th in the southern championships.
Darragh continued to compete in various track races at Mondello, Bishopscourt, Kirkiston, etc and in 2009 he emulated the success of his older brother, Andrew, by winning the NDM 125cc Aprilia Championship and bringing the second All Ireland title to the Murphy home in Mountcollins.
He also qualified for the Red Bull Rookies Cup where only 39 riders were selected from an original entry of 1,500. The competition took place in the Adria Raceway Track in Northern Italy and Darragh finished a very creditably 18th having competed against riders from Brazil, South Africa, America, England, etc.
Next year, Darragh will join the JD Race Team in the UK and will compete in the Thunder Sport Championships where he will be pitted against some of the top riders from Britain, Ireland and Europe.
Darragh is also a member of Knocknagoshel Boxing Club and won a Kerry County Championship title in 2008.
The brothers’ interest in motorcycle racing has been nurtured by their dad, Martin, who is perhaps better known for his association with Feale Oil Products in Brosna. Together, they have formed MADD Racing Team and participate with notable success at race venues all over Ireland as well as in the UK.
However, running a racing team involves a lot of effort and expense and requires considerable back-up and assistance. The team are very grateful to the following for their help and support;
Sam Foley, A.M.C Abbeyfeale. Paul Phipps from Nevis Marketing who supplied the safety gear of Shark helmets TCX boots and Richa leathers. Feale Oil/ East Cork Oil. Paul Greaney Motorcycles, Rathkeale who gave Andrew the loan of his bike for the last few rounds so he could win the championship. JOG Tuning, Tralee. Ian Marshall, Dublin. Ray McGowan, a mechanic from Leixlip. John O’Grady Plant Hire and Sales, Abbeyfeale. Paddy O’Sullivan, Kilmorna who welded the bikes back together when they were broken. Chris Lane, Ballingarry. Kevin Greaney, Newcastlewest for his electrical work.
The team held a fundraiser at the Railway Bar, Abbeyfeale in August and would like to thank Tom and Carol Fitzgerald for their hospitality, and also Stella Rock Band from Newcastlewest, and Paddy Cleary’s disco. They would also like to thank everyone who helped organize such a great night, and, also James Harnett Spar Shop, Abbeyfeale for supplying the food. And a special thank you to all who attended on the night, as without public support the team would not be able to continue racing.
And, if there is anybody who would like to help with sponsorship in 2010, they can contact Martin Murphy at MADD Racing on 086 2517508.
*Darragh Murphy will appear on RTE Television this weekend with comedian, PJ Gallagher, in a documentary about motorcycle racing in Ireland. The programme, entitled Back In The Saddle, will be screened on RTE 2 at 9.35pm on Saturday 26th December.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS; Abbeyfeale On Line would like to wish a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year to all our cyberspace visitors, especially those of you who log on from overseas. We get callers from all over the place, including London, Birmingham, New York, Boston, Chicago, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Lyrocrompane, etc. And thanks to all who have sent us news and pics from these exotic places. We have posted some new pics in our gallery. Click on Photos, go to Latest Photos and scroll down through them all. Best wishes for 2010 and we hope to meet many of you back in Abbeyfeale in the very near future.
DAY CARE; The Management Committee of St. Ita’s Day Care Centre would like to thank all the generous people and groups who have supported the centre over the past year. They also wish to thank all those who provided entertainment on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and also all those who attended on these days. Gratitude is extended to all the residents of St. Ita’s Sheltered Housing for their continued support and to the Supervisor and staff for their excellent work in the Centre. The committee wishes to extend best wishes to everyone for a happy Christmas and every blessing in 2010.
CAKE SALE; A big thank you from Abbeyfeale For Africa to all those who supported our annual cake sale in aid of Fr. Tim Galvin, Kilmanahan, Fr. John Moloney, St. Ita’s Terrace and two missionary sisters.
CONCERT; A reminder that the annual Coming of Spring celebration in the Church of the Assumption takes place with Rebecca Storm on Friday, January 29th next. Tickets are on sale at the usual outlets or by contacting 087 9066437. They cost €25 each and come with a beautiful presentation envelope and make an ideal Christmas present.
SNOW: Quite a heavy blanket of snow fell in the Abbeyfeale area over the weekend and many sporting events were cancelled. Council workers did excellent work in ensuring that most roads were passable. Meanwhile the prospects of a White Christmas are becoming a real possibility.
COURSING; Abbeyfeale Coursing Meeting goes ahead next Monday and Tuesday 28th and 29th December,
GAA; Fr. Casey’s GAA Club will hold their annual club social on Saturday the 30th of January in the GAA Clubhouse, Abbeyfeale. The meal with be served at 9pm sharp and music on the night will be provided by Jeremiah Roche. Tickets cost €20 and we would expect a large crowd to attend, especially after a very successful year which saw our Under 21 team capture the County Football Title while our Senior Football team won Division 1A of the County League and were narrowly defeated in the County Championship Final. The club is currently looking for team mangers for our Senior and Junior A Football teams for the 2010 season. If you are interested in any of the positions, you should submit a letter of interest in writing to our club chairman James McAuley, our club secretary Jimmy Lenihan or any committee member