Shane Murphy was a ‘virtuous’ and ‘honest’ man, funeral hears

Shane Murphy (27) was a humble champion pitch and putt player who wore his talent lightly and was thoughtful toward others.

He was devoted towards his family who were rightly proud of his success, mourners heard at his funeral mass this morning.

Fr Charles Nyhan told mourners led by Shane's sister, Tanya and brother, Brian that they were right to be proud of their brother who tragically died from stab wounds at the family home at Seaview Avenue in Carrigaline in Co Cork.

Mr Murphy's father, Weeshie Murphy (75), was also seriously injured in the knife attack which happened in the early hours of March 26th and he continues to receive medical treatment at Cork University Hospital and was unable to attend the funeral mass but was remembered during the ceremony.

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John Murphy was charged on Monday with the murder of his brother and the attempted murder of his father and was remanded in custody to appear in court again on April 4th.

Fr Nyhan noted that the gospel stated that “the virtuous man, though he died before his time, will find rest” with his mother, Marie, who died in 2012 and his brother, Mark who died in 2013.

“Shane, as all who knew him know, was an honest man, kind-hearted person, thoughtful of others and respectful to all and of course to his Mam, Marie, he was her pride and joy and to his Dad, Weeshie, he was a true companion and to all the family, he was someone they looked up to.”

Mr Murphy's prowess as a pitch and putt player, twice winning All-Ireland titles was recalled at the offertory where gifts included his putter and golf ball and a trophy as well as a Liverpool FC jersey, symbolising his devotion to the Anfield club whom he was an avid follower of.

Fr Nyhan recalled Mr Murphy's talent for pitch and putt. "Everyone who knew Shane knows what a brilliant natural talent he was - he was an outstanding natural pitch and putt player, All Ireland Champion twice, as well as winning numerous trophies here in Ireland and in Spain and elsewhere.

“And he was so unassuming about it all. He was just a wonderful example of how to carry your talent, no matter how great it is, in a humble way - Weeshie and Marie and the family, and his many friends, they all delighted in his achievements and they were very proud of him and rightly so.”

Mr Murphy's close bond with his father, Weeshie, who introduced him to pitch and putt, was recalled by John Treacy, Chairman of Rocklodge Pitch and Putt Club in a eulogy written by his good friend, Frank Dineen in which they recalled his successes with Raffeen Creek and Rocklodge clubs all over Ireland.

“Apart from his love of friends, family and his beloved Liverpool, Shane had one other passion, a passion he shared with Weeshie, a sport that brought father and son together and allowed Weeshie show his pride in his son’s achievements every time they set foot on a pitch and putt course.

“Shane was a champion, one of the best of his generation, having achieved so much in the sport of pitch and putt in such a short time - he was foremost a competitor, displaying a natural talent that was the envy of pitch and putt players all over the world,” said Mr Treacy.

“We remember the weekend in Seapoint in 2016 when he became a national champion ... that hug between father and son told of the pride and the bond that that they shared together - no one was happier than Weeshie and it seemed to all Shane’s winning was more for his dad than for himself.”

Fr Nyhan recalled Shane’s popularity with his friends, recalling how over 200 people turned up in Carrigaline on Wednesday night for a candlelit vigil which concluded with lighted lanterns being released and the singing of the Liverpool anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

It was to a soaring version of the song, sung by soprano Jean Elliott Murphy with its message of "walk on with hope in your heart" that Mr Murphy's coffin was shouldered from the church by family and friends for burial at St Mary's Cemetery in nearby Passage West.