Sonny Murphy

Sonny Murphy was born in Ballyvaughan, County Clare, but in 1911 his family moved to Ballycashen, Kilnaboy, County Clare. Running for O’Callaghan’s Mills Athletic Club he won the mile in 1931 and the 3,000 m steeplechase in 1932 at the Irish Athletics Championships, and at a sports meeting at Newcastle West, County Limerick on 18 September 1931 he won the Munster 1,500 metres championship. He competed in the 3,000 metres steeplechase when a member of the Irish team at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, in 1932. However, he collapsed in the heats due to the intense sunshine and dehydration and did not finish. Sonny Murphy died on St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March 1936, in the Royal City of Dublin Hospital, Upper Baggot Street, Dublin, aged 29, and is interred in Deans Grange cemetery, Dublin. In his memory the Sonny Murphy 10-mile road race is held annually in Kilnaboy.

Personal Best: 3000S – unknown.