Martin Murray (footballer)

Martin Patrick Murray (born 6 October 1958) is a retired footballer and manager.

Martin Murray
Personal information
Full name Martin Patrick Murray
Date of birth (1958-10-06) 6 October 1958
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1974–1975 Home Farm 20 (2)
1975–1980 Everton 0 (0)
1978 → Home Farm (loan) 14 (4)
1980 Home Farm 0 (0)
1980–1984 Drogheda United 76 (25)
1984–1990 Dundalk 147 (18)
1990–1991 Ashtown Villa
1991 St Pat's Athletic 11 (0)
1991–1998 Crusaders 160 (11)
Total 448 (60)
National team
1976–1977 Republic of Ireland U18 2 (0)
1978–1979 Republic of Ireland U21 8 (3)
Teams managed
1998–1999 Crusaders (assistant)
1999–2000 Crusaders
2000–2002 Dundalk
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Murray's playing career spanned over 20 years, despite being diagnosed with a faulty heart valve at the age of 19. At club level he played for Home Farm, Everton, Drogheda United, Dundalk, St Pat's Athletic and Crusaders, winning multiple honours, as well as representing the Republic of Ireland up to under-21 level. He later managed Crusaders and Dundalk, winning the FAI Cup with the latter.

Playing career

Club career

Murray began his career with Home Farm in his native Dublin, making his debut as a 16 year old. He was still 16 when he helped Home Farm to win the 1975 FAI Cup, defeating Shelbourne in the final. He then signed for Everton and was hailed as "The New George Best", playing in the FA Youth Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.[1] However during a loan spell back at Home Farm in 1978, he collapsed and was diagnosed with a faulty heart valve, and the following year, while back at Everton, he ruptured his cruciate ligament in a reserve match against Leeds United.[2]

After a short spell back with Home Farm, Murray signed for Drogheda United. He was involved in the club's first every foray into European football, playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Cup.[3] He also won the League of Ireland Cup with the side, but his time there ended on unfortunate note when a car accident ruled him out of the final few weeks of his final season with the Drogs.[4]

In 1984, Murray moved to Dundalk, the club with which he would be most successful in the League of Ireland. He made debut in a friendly against Celtic, and would go on to make 218 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals. In the 1986–87 season he finished as Dundalk's top scorer with 13 goals. He then won the League of Ireland and FAI Cup the following season, and after several more successful seasons and outings against European giants such as AFC Ajax and Red Star Belgrade, Murray dropped into semi-professional football with Ashtown Villa. However after a short spell he returned to full-time football with St Pat's Athletic in January 1991 for the remainder of the season.[5]

Murray moved to Crusaders in 1991, becoming one of many southern-based players to represent the club during that time period. He had seven successful years with the club, winning two Irish League championships, the Irish League Cup, Gold Cup, Ulster Cup and County Antrim Shield. He made 265 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals.[6]

After 614 games and 96 goals,[7] Murray finally retired in the summer of 1998 on medical advice, and had heart surgery to repair his heart valve.[8]

International career

Murray represented the Republic of Ireland at under-18 and under-21 level. He scored 3 goals at for the under-21 side against Northern Ireland, Mexico and Yugoslavia.[9]

Managerial career

After retiring as a player, Murray stayed with Crusaders as assistant manager to Aaron Callaghan. For the 1999–2000 season he took over as manager, leading the side to a 7th-placed finish.[10] However, lack of funds at Seaview were a source of frustration to Murray.[11]

While driving up to Belfast for a pre-season meeting, he heard of the managerial vacancy at Dundalk and applied for the job, being appointed in time for the 2000–01 League of Ireland First Division season, in which he led the Lilywhites to the title and promotion to the Premier Division. They were relegated in the 2001–02 season, as the league was reduced from 12 teams to 10, although Murray did lead Dundalk to the club's ninth FAI Cup win one week after their relegation, defeating Bohemians 2-1 in the final. This was Murray's last match as a manager.[12]

Honours

Player

Home Farm

Drogheda United

Dundalk

Crusaders

Manager

Dundalk

References
  1. "MARTIN MURRAY "THE NEW GEORGE BEST" – Interview by Steve Zocek November 2018". EFC Heritage Society. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  2. "Everton's great unfulfilled talents - from Martin Murray and Danny Cadamarteri to ... Wayne Rooney?". Liverpool Echo. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  3. "The night the Super Drogs took on Hoddle and company". Irish Independent. 18 September 2003. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  4. "Martin Murray Player Profile". extratime.ie. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  5. "Martin Murray". Dundalk Who's Who. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  6. "Martin Murray: The Maestro". That Football Daily. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  7. "Martin Murray: The new George Best". Tale of Two Halves. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  8. "Miracle worker Murray stands the test of time". Irish Independent. 19 April 1998. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  9. Ryan, Sean. The Book of Irish Goalscorers (Republic of Ireland International, Inter-League, European Club and League of Ireland Goalscorers 1921-1987). p. 151.
  10. "Step Back Quinn Time". Sunday Life. 1 August 1999. p. 66. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  11. "League Chiefs Resist Change". Sunday Life. 28 May 2000. p. 77. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  12. "Martin Murray Interview". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
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