ENNIS’ DAVID MURPHY through his coaching instilled the values of enduring, friendship and belonging.
It was said that anyone who ever picked up a rugby ball in Ennis attended David’s funeral mass which took place on Friday morning. The service was led by Fr Michael Collins and Fr Ignatius McCormack who said David would soon be reunited with his mother Anna in heaven.
In a moving ceremony held at Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ennis, symbols were brought to the alter that told the story of David’s life up until his tragic passing due to complications from diabetes.
David was a stalwart of Ennis RFC as both a player and coach so it was no surprise a rugby ball was the first item brought before the coffin, symbolising his commitment to the club.
A family picture represented the bond that will never be broken, carried by David’s nephew Charlie. A teddy bear gifted to David’s niece Sadie followed, which Fr Collins said “represented the unconditional love that surrounded David during his life”. The final item presented was a spirit level, symbolising the deceased’s work ethic and his ability to keep things on an even keel.
“A rugby ball, like life, can be unpredictable”, said Fr Collins. “Take a grubber kick that skips and bounces, we attempt to grab at it but if you attempt to grab at it or grasp it, invariably it ends up at a knock-on and you watch the ball slip away from you. Then there’s the pressure of the opposition bearing down on you which tempts you to look over your shoulder to focus on what’s not important. Tempting you to take your mind off the ball, and onto yourself. In some ways the trick is to have enough peace of mind to wait for that ball to bounce up and meet you”.
He added, the “ball of life had bounced over the dead ball line” and that David would soon be happily reunited with his mother Anna, a woman “not even Saint Peter” would dare cross. Fr. Collins joked that David’s dearly departed mother would soon be giving him “an unmerciful clip round the ear for all the stuff she wasn’t around for”, when the pair reunited.
David’s lifetime of work in Ennis RFC was praised throughout the mass. In recent years, David had worked as a youth officer within the club. Fr. Collins quoted from Paul O’Connell on his 2013 Lions Tour, summing up David’s attitude to life and rugby, “Let’s be the best at everything that requires no talent, chasing back, protecting teammates and promoting positivity”.
David’s brother Richard paid tribute to the friend he had lost, taking time to gather himself and addressing the young rugby players in attendance. “I see so many young people here today that Davy coached; that’s a testament to his uncompromising coaching style. It was all done with a view to challenge the kids to believe in themselves. Davy took great pride in that, pride in watching ye grow and thrive and puck a few heads maybe below in Limerick and Tipperary. One of the lads said to me last night in Patrick’s ‘I get it now, this is about more than just playing ball, this is about community, this is about shared endeavours, it’s about belonging, enduring friendships, something more than yourself. Davy lived by those values, and you, one and all, have reflected those values back”.
In a statement, Ennis RFC paid tribute to Davy who played with the club, was described as “a beloved youths officer” and coached the U18.5 boys team. “Davy, along with his parents Dickie and Anna, brothers Richard, Colin, and Bryan, and son Danny, have been pillars of our club for many years, contributing to every aspect of our community.
“Davy’s dedication to our club began at a young age, playing in all age grades with us and UL Bohs. After hanging up his boots, he continued to give back to the club, coaching and mentoring our youth players as a coach and Youth Officer. His loss will be deeply felt throughout our club for a long time to come. We stand in solidarity with his family and all past and present players who had the privilege of playing with or being coached by Davy”.
