John Murphy (1948 â 21 May 2020) was an Irish Gaelic footballer, manager, coach and selector. His career included All-Ireland Championship victories as a player and later as a coach and selector with the Down senior football team.
From the Newry Shamrocks club, Murphy won a MacRory Cup medal with Abbey CBS in 1964, before featuring for the Down minor team at midfield in their All-Ireland final loss to Mayo in 1966. Two years later, as a forward on the Down senior team, Murphy scored a goal in the team's 1968 All-Ireland final victory over Kerry. The team had claimed the 1967-68 National League title earlier in the season. As a player, Murphy also won two Railway Cup medals with Ulster and two Ulster Championship titles.
Alongside Pete McGrath, Murphy was part of the management team that saw Down win All-Ireland Championships in 1991 and 1994. Later he helped guide Mayobridge to three consecutive county senior championships from 2004 to 2006.
Murphy died on 21 May 2020.