Dinny Barry-Murphy (17 July 1903 – 21 August 1973) was an Irish hurler who played as a centre-back for the Cork senior team.
Born in Cloughduv, County Cork, Barry-Murphy first played competitive hurling during his schooling at St Finbarr's College, Farranferris. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Cork junior team before later joining the senior side. He made his senior debut during the 1926 championship. Barry-Murphy immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen, and won four All-Ireland medals, five Munster medals and two National Hurling League medals. The All-Ireland-winning captain of 1929, he was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.
At international level Barry-Murphy played for the victorious Tailteann Games hurling team in 1932. As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, he won five Railway Cup medals. At club level Barry-Murphy was a one-time championship medallist with Éire Óg, while he also played with Cloughduv and St. Finbarr's.
His brothers, John, Barry and Neil, all played for Cork, while his grand-nephew, Jimmy Barry-Murphy, is regarded as one of the most iconic players of all-time.
Throughout his career Barry-Murphy made 35 championship appearances. He retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 1935 championship.
In retirement from playing Barry-Murphy became involved in team management and coaching. He was a selector with three All-Ireland-winning Cork teams between 1941 and 1944.
Early and personal life
Born in Cloughduv, County Cork, Barry-Murphy was the second youngest child born to John and Katie Barry-Murphy. He was educated at the local national school before later boarding at St. Finbarr's College in Cork. Here he played on all the top college teams and enjoyed much success. Barry-Murphy later worked as an employer and director with the Cork Farmers Union – a meat processing company.
Dinny Barry-Murphy died on 21 August 1973 following a short illness.
Playing career
Club
Barry-Murphy began his club hurling career with Cloughduv, however, a merger with various local clubs in 1928 led to the formation of Éire Óg. The newly formed club, with Barry-Murphy as a key member, entered the senior ranks in their inaugural campaign, winning the championship after a 5-2 to 3-2 defeat of Mallow in the decider.
By 1932 Barry-Murphy had joined the St Finbarr's club, however, after a disappointing few years with the club he rejoined the Cloughduv team in 1935.
In the twilight of his career Barry-Murphy helped Cloughduv to some of their greatest successes. In 1940 a 10-00 to 5-1 trouncing of Newtownshandrum gave him a highly sought-after championship medal in the junior grade.
The following year Barry-Murphy added a championship medal in the intermediate grade to his collection, following Cloughduv's 6-4 to 3-0 defeat of Buttevant. This win meant that Barry-Murphy is one of the few hurlers to have made a clean sweep of junior, intermediate and senior championship medals.
Inter-county
Cork junior
Barry-Murphy first appeared for Cork as a member of the junior team in 1923. He won a Munster medal that year following an 8-4 to 5-1 defeat of Tipperary in the decider. Barry-Murphy was at centre-forward for the subsequent All-Ireland decider, which was delayed by over a year. A narrow 3-4 to 3-2 defeat by Offaly denied Barry-Murphy a winners' medal on that occasion.
After provincial defeat the following year, the Cork junior team bounced back in 1925. Barry-Murphy won a second Munster medal that year following a 6-3 to 4-2 defeat of Clare in the decider. The subsequent All-Ireland decider, which was once again delayed by almost a year, saw Cork defeat Dublin by 5-6 to 1-0, giving Barry-Murphy an All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship medal.
