Murphy first played Gaelic games as a schoolboy and won his first medal with Glounthaune NS in a school's league in 1923.
[3] Murphy later played alongside his brothers Tom and Jim with the senior team and made a number of appearances in tournament and challenge games.
Murphy was a senior team selector the following year as Cork claimed the All-Ireland SHC title.
He was also a selector when the Imokilly senior football team won Cork SFC titles in 1984 and 1986.
Two of his sons, Bertie Óg and Tadhg, lined out with Glanmire, Sarsfields and at inter-county level with Cork.