Ray Murphy remembers II European Championship
On 5th May 2001, the Lloret Papalus course in Lloret de Mar hosted a milestone match between Ireland and Catalonia. That so much time has elapsed since Ireland captured the Euro 2001 title appeared to surprise one of Ireland's key men that day, Ray Murphy.
"When you mentioned it was 19 years ago since I won my first European Championship, I couldn't believe how fast the years have flown by... ," recalls Ray, who has won two European championships and two World Cups in the Irish green.
"Memories of that weekend are very sketchy to be honest," laughs Ray. That's not surprising, given the sheer volume of achievements on the Cork legend's resumé! "We had a very strong team at that time, big names, big personalities and fabulous players."
"We played against a quality team in Catalonia on their home soil in the final... After the morning foursomes we were behind 2-1. Heading into the singles, we got some inspired words of encouragement from Myles and Derek to run out winners in the end," is Ray's succinct summing-up of that herculean effort by the Irish against a gallant Catalan sextet. As captain, Ray led by example in that final. He and Chris Scannell delivered Ireland's only point in the foursomes and he beat Catalan talisman Gines Fernandez in singles.
Ray is still in touch with all of the men that lined-up alongside him during that championship. "Manager Myles (McMorrow) led the team all weekend and had us well prepared."
"Derek Courtney had a huge influence on the team with his words of encouragement all weekend. Still a top player to this day," is Murphy's lavish tribute to the support role played by former Irish Matchplay champion Courtney, who was the travelling reserve on that trip.
Ray continues with magnanimous assessments of each of his playing colleagues of nineteen years ago. "Sean Harkins was one of our experienced guys on the team and still plays to a high level today."
"Derry McCarthy was Kerry's no. 1 at the time; a savage player especially in Matchplay. He plays more golf these days but is still a member of his beloved Deerpark." Derry, a veteran of Ireland's first European championship win at Chelmsford two years previously, as captain, inspired his team to a superb victory at Overbetuwe in 2005.
"Mark Millar was the young guy on the team but has become a top player. He showed his class when coming back from a layoff to win the national stroke couple of years ago."
"Chris Scannell, one of the most talented players around; he was a great playing partner that weekend and is still playing to a high level today." Scannell would go on to captain Ireland when the Boys in Green retained the trophy at McDonagh two years later.
"Sean Downes was best player in the country at the time; so hard to beat in Matchplay and a great frontrunner in Strokeplay. Sean hasn't played much in the last few years. Hopefully he'll make a return to the game in the future."
In common with so many Pitch and Putt players, our sport's Greatest Of All Time is encountering cabin fever at present. "With Covid-19 and the current restrictions we are experiencing, it's so frustrating that we can't get out to play our wonderful game. At the end of the day its the right decision not to be playing. Being safe is our priority right now. We will get back to playing as soon as the restrictions are lifted."
It's very gratifying that a top performer of our sport is prepared to work diligently for the benefit of our sport and other exponents. "Away from the playing side of things, maintaining my home club St Anne's to a high standard is very important to me. We are lucky we can maintain it at this present time, and with the help of some club colleagues, we are able to have it in good condition. Hopefully we will get to host the (All Ireland) Inter-County in September this year and we can welcome all counties to experience our course."
The thirst for battle stll rages deeply within ten-time Irish individual champion Ray, who holds sixteen National Inter-County winners' medals with Cork. "I probably don't practice as much as I used to but I'll still be competitive. I still love the adrenalin of the last 18 of scratch cups or our major strokeplay championships. I love Matchplay and our national Matchplay is the one event I look forward to every year. I still have ambitions to win another national, be it Strokeplay or Matchplay."
Ray, whose Ireland career dates all the way to a joust with Australia at Fermoy in 1994 isn't yet done with the representative side either. "Internationally, I'd like to make an Irish team again in the future. It's a great honour to represent your country at any sport.. We have a unique sport that has seen numbers playing drop over the last few years but hopefully in the future we can entice former players back, and encourage new players to play our wonderful game."
