The Late Patsy Murphy Patsy Murphy, who died at his home in Middlesex, was one of an emigrant generation who took the boat to England at the first available opportunity. However, nobody of that generation ever felt deprived or neglected because of the wealth of community spirit that abounded. In Crackow, a single row of council cottages on the outskirts of Knightstown, that spirit was remarkable. Doors were always open and the residents helped each other in good times and bad. Every house produced either a footballer or a musician and sometimes the two went hand-in-hand. Trap cages hung on gable walls and back gardens were neatly cultivated to promote the wherewithal of self-sufficiency. Patsy Padgen, as he was popularly known, grew up on that street in the company of his older brother John Joe and his sisters, Kathleen and Mary Ellen, all of whom emigrated at a young age. The head of the household, Padgen, was a legend in his accordion music. As a schoolboy Patsy was regularly late for class in the mornings and the excuse proferred was always the same; "I had to go for the cow, sir." Two swipes of the cane was the penalty imposed. He kicked a rag ball in the school yard and it was here that he showed the first signs of becoming a high quality footballer. Early promotion to senior ranks followed and he made his debut when high-flying St. Mary's were brought crashing down to earth in the Crackow field by weakened opposition. It was the shock of the season and a landmark victory. Valentia went on to win the championship that year. Emigration beckoned soon afterwards and Patsy followed the well-worn path of exile traversed by an earlier generation of his family. This meant a single ticket to Kingsbridge station and a berth on the Holyhead boat. On the eve of his leave-taking he sang Now is the Hour when We Must Say Goodbye and shed copious tears. He played little football in England but such was his reputation - and despite five years of absence - he was brought back to play in the 1957 South Kerry final against Renard. His cousin, Tadhg, and Michael Murphy accompanied him. Denis Lynch met them at the North Wall and provided the necessary transport. At home, a house-to-house collection raised the finance for what was considered a huge logistical operation. With an address at 28 Belmore Avenue, Hayes, Miiddlesex, Tadhg Murphy wrote to the club secretary: "I would walk the whole if I had to. Keep it dark about me coming. I'm the happiest man in Hayes tonight." Patsy's early point from out near the corner flag set the tone of an historic victory. No wonder his brother John Joe shouted from the sideline: "Lovely , yourself!" It was a trademark effort, like his left boot. Like his father before him, Patsy Murphy was a thorough gentleman who always lived out the values that shaped his early upbringing. His regular presence at home during the summer months will be sadly missed. Ar dheis lamh Dé go raibh a anam uasal. Courtesy of the Kerryman, November, 2004. Tweet

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