[1][2][3] Born in Kilkeel, County Down, Murphy played competitive Gaelic football as a boarder at St Colman's College in Newry, and won a MacRory Cup medal in 1957.
Murphy made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he was selected for the Down minor team.
[citation needed] After being chosen on the Ulster inter-provincial team in 1962, Murphy was an automatic choice on the starting fifteen for the following few seasons.
[citation needed] In retirement from playing, Murphy combined his teaching career with a new role as a coach and manager.
He took charge of the St. Colman's Lisnacree, Kilkeel and Rostrevor club sides in the late 1970s and early 1980s.