Our “Meet the” series continues this week with Meet the Treasurer – Pat Murphy!
1.Where were you born?
Born in Greenmount in Cork
2.How long have you been a club member?
I joined St Finbarr’s at the start of 2019.
3.What was it that attracted you to join St Finbarr’s?
I’m not sure if I was attracted to join St Finbarr’s but if you know Dan Kennedy you know that he has persuasive powers.
I used to meet Dan whilst running in the ‘Farm’ and he suggested I should stop running the junk miles and join the Barrs and get some structured training. I haven’t looked back since.
4.What is the best part of being a club member?
Being of a more senior vintage I was a bit apprehensive about joining the club and wasn’t sure how I would fit in, but the club and the members welcomed me as one of their own.
That is the one special thing about this club, everybody is so friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. The club accommodates all abilities and there is a place in it for everyone.
Together with having the three most experienced and knowledgeable coaches in Dan, Eamonn and Marion, ably assisted by Pat and Graham makes for a great club.
5.Who is you’re your athletics idol/hero?
Not sure if I would call them idols but I always enjoyed watching Lasse Viren, a long-distance runner from Finland who ran in the 70’s and was double Olympic champion over 5,000 and 10,000m and would give the current generation of Africans and a certain Norwegian a run for their money over 5,000 and 10,000m. The competition between Coe and Ovett over the years at 800 and 1500m was also a great watch.
6.What is your favourite athletics event?
Since joining the Barrs I have given most if not all race types a try. I have run in roads and XC Championship races, but my preferred event would be the 800 and 1500m track events.
7.What club achievement are you most proud of?
I cast my mind back to a Cross Country race in Dungourney I think in 2021.It was like something you would see at a Grand National all lined up behind the start line. That day there were 56 Barrs athletes participating, and it was great to be part of that field. Not sure what we won on the day but the pride of being part of this club that day sits in my memory.
8.What personal achievement in your time at St. Finbarr’s are you most proud of?
Personally, I have been lucky enough to have had a little success across the various disciplines, which is down to the great coaching we receive, but my highlight to date would be winning of the 800 and 1500m double at the Masters National Track and Field Championship on a baking hot day in Tullamore in 2022.
9.What is your goal as Treasurer for 2024?
As I have just taken over this role from my mentor Michael Murphy my first task will be to make sure the books balance at the end of the year!
As St Finbarr’s is the club with the largest membership of Senior and Masters’ athletes in the County it would be great to see these numbers grow even more and that those who join will have the same fantastic experience that I have had since I joined. I am looking forward to our club having another successful year across all the running disciplines and seeing as many members as possible giving the races a go.
10.Who is your ‘’one to watch’’ for 2024?
There are so many fantastic athletes in our club both male and female and in the different categories of Seniors and Master that it would be difficult to pick one, so I will pick two.
My Male picks are Sean Twohig and Barry Twohig. Both have been in great form recently on the roads and the mountains and will carry that form into the rest of the year.
My Female picks would be Louisa Browne and Anita Locke who like the lads will be ones to watch out for in 2024.
There are also the many other athletes who may not necessarily finish on the podium but who give of their best at training during the week and who should also be commended and recognised for their efforts running in the Barrs singlet.
Thank you Pat 🌟
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