Ibar Murphy wins district award

imIbar Murphy, Ballyhoo, Screen was the Shelmalier recipient of the Wexford district awards held in Riverbank House Hotel recently.

Ibar has been an invaluable supporter of our club for many, many years and the award is thoroughly deserved

Ibar Murphy has given a lifelong service to the Shelmalier GAA Club on both the playing field and as an administrator in the club.

As a administrator, Ibar joined the management committee of the Shelmalier GAA Club for the first time in 1975 at the tender age of 18 years and has played a prominent role on that committee ever since, spanning 37 years and is today the clubs County Board Rep.

As a player, Ibars first year with the Shelmalier footballers was in 1973, winning the junior football championship, as a towering midfielder at the tender age of 16. That involvement has continued to today with his most recent game with the club was last year when lining out in goal in the junior football championship against St. Martins in Piercestown. According to a report on the match in Piercestown that day ‘Ibar Murphy has lost none of his speed, agility and experience down the years and is looking forward to playing  a part in the 2012  junior football championship’.

There have been many changes in the Shelmalier GAA Club at both underage and senior level since Ibar joined the management committee in 1973. At that time there was no underage structure in the county or club and Ibar was heavily involved with people such as Peter Walsh, Tommy Neville, Sean Kelly Seamus O Leary, Paddy Donohoe, Mogue O Leary, Jim McGillycuddy and many others in the foundation and growth of the Bord na nOg section of the club.  Due to the foresight and determination of Ibar and his fellow pioneering club persons  they have ensured that the Shelmalier GAA Club has become a dominate force in both under age football and hurling in the county today.

Over the years Ibar has served in many officer positions in the club. At 18 he became treasurer of the senior club serving in that position for five years. He also served as both vice chairperson and treasurer of Bord na nOg and was involved in the management and coaching of many underage teams during that time.

Ibar served as chairperson of the Shelmalier GAA Club for 4 years, a position he feels is one of his greatest honours in the GAA. As Chairperson he was a hardworking and committed clubman who had the vision and foresight to plan and development the club to what it is today. On the playing side of the club he set the foundation to ensuring that the club can now proudly compete at both senior hurling and senior football level in the county.

On the playing field Ibar was strong in the tackle and a fine fielder of the ball playing at either centre back or midfielder for the club. Having won the junior football title in his first year in 1973, Ibar went on to win an under 21 hurling title when joined with Crossabeg/Ballymurn in 1975.In 1985 Ibar captained the Shelmalier footballers to win the junior football title and he was a member of the victorious Shelmalier junior hurling team in 1989. In 1996 Ibar was a selector with Larry O Shaughnessy and Fr. Donal Berney of the Shelmalier hurling team that won the intermediate title and the club has remained at senior level ever since.

At county level Ibar has represented the county at minor and under 21 in both hurling and football and has played with the Wexford District in both codes.

In recognition of Ibar’s tremendous contribution to the Shelmalier GAA Club we are proud to nominate him for this honour.