At our recent AGM, the Rower Inistioge GAA Club unanimously passed a motion to dedicate the Rower GAA complex to the memory of the late Fr. Tom Murphy.

Fr. Tom was the first man to bring a Senior All-Ireland medal back to his native Rower after playing a vital role in the 1963 victory over Waterford, scoring 2-1 in the final. Having played in four All Ireland finals – 1963, 1964,1966 and 1969, Fr. Tom had the unique record of never playing a league game for Kilkenny. This was due to regulations governing seminarians and the clergy at the time, which meant he could only hurl on his holidays.

A prolific forward, Fr. Tom would go on to win an All-Ireland minor medal (‘60), four Leinster medals (’63, ’64, ’66 & ’69), and two senior All Ireland medals (‘63 & ‘69), lining out in the ’69 final alongside his brother Billy. Undoubtedly, Fr. Tom’s proudest achievement was lining out in the Rower Inistioge’s 1968 Senior County Final win over Bennettsbridge, starting at no. 15 and scoring 1-1.

Fr. Tom’s achievements weren’t solely on the playing field, he was a founding member of The No Name Club, an organisation which has contributed so much to the youth of Ireland. He was also the main driving force and founding member of O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club in 1969.

Speaking at the AGM, Eddie Keher, a former teammate, and close personal friend of Fr. Tom’s said he is “delighted that the Club are going to bestow such a fitting honour on a great man”.

Club Chairman Michael Roche said “as a club, we are delighted to be able to honour Fr. Tom. His legacy will be acknowledged for generations to come in Fr. Tom Murphy Park."

The Club has recently completed a significant programme of investment in the Rower grounds with the addition of a state of the art all weather pitch and ball wall facility. The Club propose to hold an official naming ceremony in 2024, with the complex to be known as “Fr. Tom Murphy Park.”