Brian Murphy (born 2 February 1952) is an Irish retired dual player of Gaelic football and hurler who played as a corner-back for the Cork senior teams.
as one of the greatest dual players of all-time due to his unique distinction of winning All-Ireland medals at minor, under-21 and senior in both codes,[2] Murphy joined the team during the 1971–72 National Hurling League and was a regular member of the starting fifteen in both codes until his retirement after the 1983 hurling championship.
In 1968 he was part of the college hurling team that defeated CBS Sexton Street of Limerick to claim the Dr. Harty Cup for the first and only time in their history.
The subsequent All-Ireland decider saw St. Malachy's of Belfast, a team featuring future Northern Ireland soccer international Martin O'Neill, provide the opposition.
The game has gone down as one of the most exciting ever, with Coláiste Chríost Rí coming back from an eight-point deficit to defeat St. Malachy's with a last-minute goal.
[4] A dual championship medalist in the respective minor grades in 1970, Murphy subsequently joined the top teams at the club.
St. Vincent's of Dublin provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland decider, however, a late Jimmy Keaveney point forced a 2–11 apiece draw.
After surrendering their titles in 1976, Nemo were back the following year with Murphy picking up a fourth championship medal following a 1–8 to 1–3 defeat of St Michael's.
Nemo surrendered their titles the following year, however, in 1983 Murphy picked up his seventh and final championship medal following a huge 4–12 to 2–3 defeat of Clonakilty.
That same year Murphy was also a regular starter with the Cork minor football team and won a Munster medal following a 3–11 to 0–12 defeat of Kerry.
In 1970 Murphy established himself on the Cork minor hurling team and won his first Munster medal on the field of play following a narrow 3–8 to 4–4 defeat of Tipperary.
He was an unused substitute as Cork captured the Munster crown in hurling, however, he was at left corner-back for the subsequent All-Ireland decider.
Wexford stood in the way of Cork securing a record-breaking fourth successive championship and a high-scoring game ensued.
Two years later in 1973 Murphy won a Munster under-21 hurling medal on the field of play as Limerick were accounted for on a 4–11 to 2–7 score line.
It was a successful campaign for the Rebels as a 3–14 to 2–14 defeat of Limerick in the decider gave Murphy his first National Hurling League medal.
The Rebels dominated the early exchanges and went eight points clear after a long-range score from wing-back Con Roche in the 17th minute of the second half.
Kilkenny took control with Pat Henderson a key figure at centre-back and Eddie Keher cutting loose up front.
The following year (1976) saw Cork begin a series of wins in the hurling championship, with Murphy playing a key role at corner-back.
1978 saw Murphy was instrumental in helping Cork to complete a remarkable three All-Ireland hurling victories in-a-row, marking the team out as one of the greatest of all-time.
In 1979 the Cork senior hurlers almost succeeded in making it to the hurling final again, however, they were defeated by Galway in the semi-final.
The year ended, however, with Murphy winning a second All-Ireland club title with Nemo Rangers as well as his first All Star Award in hurling.
His great-nephew Finn Azaz plays soccer for Middlesbrough and the Republic of Ireland national team.