MAYFIELD R.P.C.

 

''A RARE  BREED''

 

On we continue once more and in this article we focus on a gentleman who has passionately devoted his life to the great sport of pigeon racing in Cork. This gentleman fancier is the great Thomas Murphy. 

Thomas Murphy was born into the world in the year of 1961 in a place on the south side of Cork city called Ballyphehane. Thomas is one of three siblings having one brother and one sister. To say that Thomas has pedigree would be an understatement; the fact is that he is steeped in bloodlines of immense pride, quality, principle and tradition. This comes as no surprise being born from parents of such top quality stock. Thomas’s mother Bridget Murphy [nee Whitley] was born and reared in brown street in Cork city centre, Brown street no longer exists today being demolished and in turn making way for the building of paul street shopping centre and car park. It was named after Thomas Brown who was the lord mayor of Cork in 1727. It was said to have been a very fashionable area at that time and was well noted for it's coffee house’s. The well known firm of Jennings’s mineral water manufacturers, Buckley’s bedding and Barnadie's headstones were also situated in brown street. A hand's on type of lady Bridget Murphy went to work as a young girl with her aunt and mother who both had a stall in the busy trading district known then and still today as the Coal Quay which is situated in Cornmarket street. Working at her aunt's stall Bridget was kept busy as outside of selling produce like cabbage, potatoes etc, they were also one of the biggest fish monger's in Cork. Eventually Bridget was to break out on her own after getting married and would sell fish in St.George's quay and fruit and veg. in the coal quay. Thomas's father was Richard Murphy a man that was reared just off Tower street and in fact was next door neighbours with legendary pigeon fancier Johnny Beechor. 'Richie' as he was known worked in the haulage industry and worked for a company known as 'trucks' in Lavitts quay. Richie kept small birds all his life, showing and winning with them almost everywhere in Ireland. His team consisted of Irish fancy canaries, Glosters, linnets and finches. Outside the small birds Richie kept himself occupied with a vast array of interests including foot beagles, terriers, hound's, ferret's, fishing you name it and Richie done it. But Ritchie didn't just do it, he done it well, very well, with class and skill, in fact many a man from the four corners of Ireland travelled to purchase ferret's from Richie such was the quality on hand. A few pigeons were always kept also as a young lad and Richie's passion for pigeons was later to become a lifelong affair. After Ritchie and Bridget were married Ballyphehane was to become home. Ballyphehane is one of the oldest area's in Cork and was created as part of a post- world war 2 initiative to create a model community in Cork. Many of the roads in Ballyphehane are named after many legendary republicans such as Thomas Kent ,James Connolly, Thomas Macdonagh and Patrick Pearse. Ballyphehane has a population of roughly 1,500 people. It is a well known sporting parish and is home to Musgrave Park where Dolphins and Sunday's well rugby teams play. It is also one of the two homes of Munster rugby, the other being Thomond park in Limerick. Just a short distance from Ballyphehane is neighbouring parish the Lough. The Lough parish is widely famed for it's beautifully designed freshwater lake which has an average depth of about 1 metre. It is an important wildfowl preserve, particularly for swans and has been a protected area since 1881. The lough is also very popular for coarse angling and is home to several specie's of fish such as carp, eel, tench, rudd and perch. The lake being roughly 1 kilometre in circumference is very popular amongst the public and is also a big attraction for the walking/running section of society. As Ritchie and Bridget Murphy settled down in life while rearing their family one son was to become literally speaking a chip off the block and this indeed is Thomas Murphy.

   

A young man Thomas being presented with his trophy with Seamus O'Hare on his left and Mr. O'Brien on his right  -  The great Youghal fancier Paddy Ahern presenting Thomas with his Larne trophy in 1978

       

On the left Bridgie Murphy holding young Thomas and on the right Chris Digna Leahy holding Thomas's brother John  -  A class photo of sisters Brigie Murphy and Chris Digna in the coal quay a few years back  -  Bridgie Murphy in her element

A young Thomas was to be heavily influenced by his parents, indeed he still is and what a character it has shaped him to be. Thomas attended primary school in turners cross and went on to secondary via Salmond street tech. Thomas has great memories from childhood when summers were summers and the days were long. The freedom children had back then was something else but how times have changed where once climbing trees and riding horses was considered the norm, not anymore. Thomas also fondly recalled the years that his mother's cousin would take him to redbarn beach in Youghal Co.Cork and then onto Crosshaven for the month of august before reporting back at school. Thomas laughingly stated that while staying in Youghal in a 3 bed caravan it often ended up with about 15 occupants after a good night at the famous hilltop hotel or equally many great nights were had at either Farrell's pub or the Devonshire hotel. As Thomas approached his teenage years his passion for pigeons was now very much evident and at the tender age of 16 was to enter partnership with his father under the title of R and T Murphy. Thomas was very quick to make me aware that his father was sharp as a tack and flew a very good pigeon. The father and son partnership was to hit it off from the word go and with a first fed coming by way of a young bird larne race in 1978. At that time there was no messing and Richie didn't spare them with an opening toss for the yb's being around 25 miles to start with. Preparing pigeons for the channel Richie wouldn't hesitate in jumping on the train - destination Limerick Junction.

In the centre - Blue cock flown Thurso red pied cock flown Perth and on the left cheq hen flown Girvan

On arriving and after a short rest the pigeons were singled up and on there way. This preparation was to stand to them and in the case of one particular blue cock that was called upon he certainly answered. A 78 rung cock [98002] was in 1981 to fly and win Thurso in the Ballyphehane club for R and T Murphy .Tom recalling the following season in 1982 the same blue cock handled beautifully like a ball of butter and was specifically earmarked for Thurso once more. Prepared and indeed sent he was by Ritchie and Thomas but due to poor weather the birds were held for 5-6 days in the baskets. They were then moved to Perth but it was still a no go, a last move was made back to girvan with the hope of finally getting them into the sky. After nearly a week in the baskets the Munster federation liberated at 12am. Approaching 9pm that evening an anxious Thomas was looking out the top window when he spotted the pattern of his blue cock coming up over the graveyard and tom literally skipped down half the staircase with the excitement to clock him. He was clocked and recorded to win 1rst club, 1rst fed. R and T Murphy loved pigeon racing but were also very passionate about another hobby and that was fishing. Casting there lines with the old Cork salmon anglers many a day was enjoyed indeed Ritchie had a boat himself one time and would be able to fish right out to the harbour.

   

Thomas standing in front of Leslie Barr's double decker loft with a view of Belfast almost 50 miles -  Thomas and Leslie Barr from Templepatrick  -  Thomas Murphy with his nephew shane all smiles after catching an 18lbs salmon

Today Thomas continues that tradition with the lee salmon anglers and his biggest catch to this day is 18lbs. Tom recalling a memory of a day that will live with him forever when recalling the time when himself and his great old friend Murty O' Sullivan decided one bank holiday Monday to head back to the river Laune in Kerry. Tom recalling during the morning period he had hooked an 11lbs and 12lbs pair of salmon. Tom's friend Murty was having no such luck and was shocked to see Tom hook a third but this time the fish had managed to snag itself in the root of a tree. What happened next was as Tom recalls one of the funniest moments of his fishing career when Murty who couldn't swim decided he was going in. Before Tom knew it Murty had stripped naked to the bone in pursuit of the snag. What Murty didn't realise at the time was that a bus full of tourists had arrived moments earlier and from one side of the river were watching the whole event unfold but never the less naked or not and without an armband or paddle in he went and freed the fish which tom eventually landed weighing in at 14lbs, cherished memories. There is certainly without question something in angling that tends to produce a serenity of the mind. The following is an old quote from Mr John Buchan '' The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope''. Back to pigeons and not long after Richie was to take a break from racing and Thomas was then to step up to the mark and take control. To Tom's credit he was also chief convoyer on many an occasion for another organisation at the time. In the company of legendary driver Connie Cronin many a mile was travelled both inland and across to Scotland going as far north as Thurso. In good hands these pigeons were with the welfare of the birds being paramount. Many a great story was told and many a great character was met during there time on the road and one that stood out in tom's mind was meeting the great Barr brothers in Templepatrick Co. Antrim. On enquiring about the old days Tom stated pigeon racing long ago was very different the pigeon men were gents and very little of the current day behaviour would be tolerated adding that unfortunately a certain few have really set back racing in Cork. Thomas stating that fanciers in Cork need to sit down, talk and race pigeons without personalities interfering, on top of that there seems to be no apparent strategy to attract the youth of today. Tom glancing back at the likes of Nebby Higgins and Thomas Goulding who were great characters and are sadly missed today. Back at home during this period Ritchie Murphy spent a lot of time tending to his garden which he loved and nursed, indeed it is still very much proudly maintained by Tom to this day. In the 1990's Thomas was to go it alone and very quickly Tom's own pedigree was to show as be it north or south road he was to time in with several 2nd feds attained in a short period .

    

Ritchie in the park with ben      -     The great Ritchie Murphy with his lovely springer spaniel called ben

After 10 years past, Tom's father Ritchie was literally itching once more to get back in the fold. The old loft was quickly knocked down and a new tiled loft was built in it's place which Tom raced from and Ritchie erected a new loft on the other side where they raced seperately. But having a closely knitted father and son relationship the craic and joking between them made and set the tone for some great banter on race day's, happy days with everlasting memories. Today Thomas stills keeps the old tradition alive being a 4th generation trader in Cork city's coal quay. He is also the first male in the family line to be involved operating mainly now in the Christmas season trading wreaths, holly and mistletoe. Having personally visited Tom in the coal quay over the Christmas holidays I could see why he keeps this tradition from becoming extinct as he was amongst some great friends old and new and he was truly in his element.

       

Thomas all set for the day ahead  -  The early bird catches the worm  -  Modern day Coal Quay

Literally a stone's throw from the coal quay is another very famous establishment known as the English market. As well as being a very well supported market it is also a big hit with tourists drawing visitors from throughout the world including a visit from the queen in 2011 during her state visit. The term English market was used in the 19th century as to distinguish the market from the nearby St. Peter's market which is now the site of the bodega on Cornmarket street and was known as the Irish market. Not much changed in the market over the years except for a fire in 1980 which caused extensive damage leading to major refurbishment works being carried out in line with its Victorian design. The market today is very multicultural and a huge variety of fresh produce can be bought there. It is a source of some local specialities such as the famous tripe and drisheen, spiced beef and buttered eggs. Back to pigeons and today Thomas Murphy is as passionate about pigeons as ever and has proved it again last season being 1rst club, 1rst section, 2nd open national Bude with birdage of almost 1,300 birds. This beautiful chequer yearling cock now named ''Ring King'' was an unraced young bird and as a yearling was retrained never going beyond Ring. Entered into Bude for his 'first race' he responded in style which doesn't surprise me giving Tom's experience plus ability and with this particular cock being bred off the late great Ken Hines crossed with Dave and Vince Padfield lines, need i say any more?. Sitting on his first ever pair of eggs they were not due to hatch for another 10 days so and with 2 days prior to basketing Tom decided to slip under a small yellow youngster to see how he would react. The reaction of the cock told Tom very quickly he was keen as mustard, not wanting to come off the yb or even change with the hen they would lye together on the bowl. Both cock and hen were sent to the race and the rest was history with the hen also arriving home in the afternoon. Tom likes to keep it simple and not over complicate things stating you cant beat fresh air, the more of it the better. Over the years Tom has put a superb team of pigeons together from some of the elite in the sport. Pigeons of top quality are at stock with bloodlines of the great Dave and Vince Padfield, Ken Hines, Preece Brothers, Dorin Melinte, Bob Beasant, Lee and Kevin Buddle and Chris Gordon just wetting the appetite. I’m sure the fancy will agree that the calibre of fancier just mentioned is second to none. Tom likes to breed best to best and everything is done as natural as possible. Regarding size and shape Tom's preference is a medium size pigeon of apple shaping that fits nicely to hand. The pigeons at the loft's of Thomas Murphy always know who is boss with the birds being kept on there toes at all times, nothing less than total control is accepted from the boss. Over the years Tom has done a fair bit of training in the Ring area of Co. Waterford and has always done well in the process. Not only has he done well from Ring with the pigeons but Ring has also been good to Tom as it is also home to his lovely partner Geraldine. Geraldine is a lady true and true and has been such a great help to Tom over the years; he'd be lost without her. A character in her own right she possesses a beautiful manner and personality, an absolute credit to herself and her family. [We might just get you that Cork passport yet Geraldine haha]. While discussing pigeon racing with Tom he was keen to express how things have changed reminiscing about all the years that the Cork birds went to Scotland but not too many are aware or know that there was a time when the Scottish organisations would be in Ireland and the Scottish pigeons would be liberated as far south as Skibbereen in Count Cork. In fact that was at a time when the pigeons would be sent by rail and the necessary information relayed to the station manager. In them earlier days the old Cork to Bandon railway was in existence so trains would be commonly seen travelling over the famous Chetwynd Viaduct. Not only is the viaduct famous for its railway history but there is another reason i.e. a man called 'Mick Barry'. Mick was one of the greatest bowl players off all time and is famous for having lofted a 16 oz bowl over the viaduct on St. Patrick's Day in 1955. Coming back to Thomas Murphy and today Tom is currently the chairman of Mayfield r.p.c. and to serve alongside him is an absolute privilege, indeed he is a man with great vision and with his ability and experience I am sure the future is very bright. The following are a number of questions that I asked Tom on the day in which he was only too delighted to answer,  they are as follows.

Tom Murphy pictured with his partner Geraldine and his blue cheq cock "Ring King" 2nd Open IHU National Bude

Q1 How big are your lofts? How many sections, size etc?

Ans- I have two lofts a new one which is 16ft x 8ft divided into two sections and the old loft is 20ft x 8ft split into two sections one 12ft and the other 8ft.

Q2 How many stock birds do you keep?

Ans -  I keep 20 pairs of stock.

Q3 When do you normally pair your stock and racers?

Ans- My stock birds are usually mated around the 14th of february, the racers are paired later to suit my racing needs.

Q4 Do you move hens in with their yb's when they are weaned off and being separated?

Ans- No i always separate the yb's on their own.

Q5 What is your opinion on the annual vaccinations?

Ans- It is a must for old birds and yb's.

Q6 How important do you think grit and minerals are for your birds during the season?

Ans- Grit i feel is very important especially during the breeding season and to be fresh.

Q7 Do you clean out or use deep litter?

Ans- The race loft is always scraped out everyday but sometimes horse bedding is used for the stock birds.

Q8 Do you use any preventative medications? If so when and why?

Ans- I would treat old birds and yb's for canker or cocci if i felt it was necessary. Blind treatment is avoided and garlic is in the water 24/7.

Q9 How many weeks do you think a pigeon can hold its form?

Ans - I believe 2-3 weeks.

Q10 Do you have problems with b.o.p. in your area?

Ans- Yes very much so with the city being almost infested with them ,they have the sport ruined.

Q11 Would your preference be sprint or distance racing?

Ans- Distance.

Q12 Do you give anything in particular to the birds on return from a race?

Ans- Redband and glucose in the water.

Q13 Who do you think are or were the best fanciers in the area?

Ans- Ritchie Murphy,John Bullman, Johnny Beechor, Dick Longfield, Tom Cahill, Wall Bros and Mulcahy Bros.

Q14 What do you think can be done to help the sport progress?

Ans- People need badly and sadly to sit down, talk and race pigeons without personalities interfering, also nothing is being done to encourage the youth of today.

Q15 Do you think loft position matters?

Ans- Yes without a doubt.

Q16 Do you race yb's natural or darkness?

Ans- Natural.

Q17 Do you keep your yb's hungry etc?

Ans- Yb's are fed lighter than the old birds and i like to keep them on there toes.

Q18 How far do you train?

Ans- old and young 30-40 miles.

Q19 How do you compare pigeon racing here in Ireland to the uk and europe?

Ans- I feel we are years behind.

Q20 How would you pick a pool pigeon?

Ans- I like to see the pigeon showing condition on his own and i like to get them on a newly hatched yb.

Q21 How far do you race your yb's?

Ans- I like to get them up towards the 100 mile mark but i feel it's not necessarily needed.           Q22 If you had any advise for a novice what would it be?

Ans- If you can get to know some established fancier and be fortunate enough to receive some gift birds . Also don’t be afraid to voice your opinion.

Q23 Would you like to see anything change in the sport?

Ans- Differences in Cork must be put to one side for the good of the sport and if pigeon racing is to be ran right then it must be ran business like with everything being fully declared.

Q24 Is there anything in the sport that you would like to achieve that maybe you haven't already?

Ans- Clock out of the King's cup. [Watch this space].

Q25 Is there anyone in particular that you would like to thank in the pigeon circle?

Ans- Yes i would like to thank Dave and Vince Padfield for all the advise over the years.

 

Before I bring this article to a close I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom and his lovely partner Geraldine for taking the time out in order for me to compose this article. I must say it was a pleasure to meet with two of the nicest and most genuine people I’ve ever met. I hope and wish you both the very best of luck, happiness and health going forward. I would like to wish Tom all the very best with his pigeons for the 2017 season, I have no doubt we will see a lot more from this great gentleman fancier. On a final note I am sure that our reader's will agree that Thomas Murphy is truly indeed a Rare Breed.

 

 

 

ALAN BUSTEED