Researching Denis Murphy

Murphy became a member of the Australian Labor Party 1967. During his time as a member in the 1970s, Murphy led a push for party reform, alongside Peter Beattie and Manfred Cross. He maintained his position at University of Queensland whilst he pushed for reform and completed biographies on a number of Queensland ALP figures, notably Thomas J. Ryan and Bill Hayden. In 1980 he was received the title of State Branch President and was elected to the Parliament of Queensland for the electorate of Stafford at the 1983 state election.

Murphy was diagnosed with cancer in 1983 and died in 1984, aged 47. He died before having the opportunity to make a speech as a Member of Parliament. Peter Beattie made a speech instead for Murphy and led a conference of over 200 delegates in a moment of silence in honor of Murphy's life. Murphy died in Brisbane, Queensland and is buried in Mooloolah Cemetery.

Murphy was born in Lisheen, Gneeveguilla, County Kerry one of eight children of Bill and Mainie (née Corbett) Murphy. His father played fife, flute and fiddle and had a fife and drum band. It was a house where music was played a lot with neighbours calling in. He and his sister Julia Clifford were taught fiddle by Pádraig O'Keeffe. He later played with the Lisheen Fife and Drum Band.

Murphy emigrated to the United States, and in 1942 married Julie Mary Sheehan. They returned often to Ireland and returned permanently to Lisheen in 1965. While in the United States he played with the Ballinmore Ceili Band, with such players as Paddy Killoran, James Morrison, Andy McGann, Lad O'Beirne and Charlie Mulvihill.

Born in Donoughmore, County Cork, Murphy first played competitive hurling during his schooling at St. Colman's College. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Cork junior team. He made his senior debut during the 1960 championship. Murphy immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen and won one All-Ireland medal, two Munster medals and one National Hurling League medals. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, Murphy won two Railway Cup medals. At club level he is a one-time Munster medallist with St. Finbarr's. In addition to this he has also won two championship medals, after beginning his career with Grenagh.

Throughout his career Murphy made 26 championship appearances. His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1969 championship.

In retirement from playing Murphy became involved in team management and coaching. He was a selector with the Cork senior team during their three-in-a-row of All-Ireland successes between 1976 and 1978.

Murphy is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers of all-time. In 2000 he was named in the left corner-back position on the Munster Hurling Team of the Millennium.

He was born in Lac La Hache, British Columbia, the son of Denis Murphy and Helen White, and was educated at Ottawa University. Murphy was called to the British Columbia bar in 1896. He practised in Victoria for about a year and then moved to Ashcroft, where he practised until 1909. In 1900, he married Maude Cameron. He was named to the provincial cabinet as Provincial Secretary in November 1902 but resigned his cabinet post a few days later. Murphy was named to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1909; he retired from the bench in 1941. He also served on the board of governors for the University of British Columbia. In 1911, Murphy submitted a letter in the Vancouver Law Students' Annual under the name "Quill" in support of instituting formal legal education in the province. He died in Vancouver at the age of 76.

Born in Borris, County Carlow, Murphy first played competitive hurling whilst at school in Borris Vocational School. He made his first impression on the inter-county scene as a dual player at minor level before later joining the under-21 hurling team. He made his senior debut during the 2010 championship. Murphy only played for one championship season and enjoyed little success.

At club level Murphy is a one-time Leinster medallist with Mount Leinster Rangers. He also won five championship medals.