Michael Murphy (1940 – 5 January 2018) was an Irish hurler who played as a left wing-back for the Tipperary senior team. Born in Thurles, County Tipperary, Murphy first played competitive hurling whilst at school in Thurles CBS. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of fifteen when he first linked up with the Tipperary minor team before later joining the junior side. He made his senior debut in the 1960 Oireachtas Tournament. Murphy went on to enjoy a brief inter-county career with Tipperary, and won one All-Ireland medal, one Munster medal and one National Hurling League medal. He captained the team to the All-Ireland title in 1964. At club level Murphy won eight championship medal with Thurles Sarsfields. Murphy's uncles, Flor and John Coffey, were also All-Ireland medallists with Tipperary. Throughout his career Murphy made 5 championship appearances for Tipperary. His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1964 championship. Playing career College Murphy played hurling during his schooldays at Thurles CBS. As a contemporary of Jimmy Doyle, Murphy won Dean Ryan Cup and Croke Cup medals. He missed out on the chance of winning a Dr. Harty Cup medal because the harsh economic realities of the time resulted in him leaving school to find work. Club Murphy played his club hurling with the famous Thurles Sarsfields club. The club had much success in the 1960s and Murphy won several Tipperary SHC titles on that team. Inter-county Minor Murphy was in his sixteenth year when he was called up to the Tipperary minor team in 1956. He was an unused substitute that year as Tipperary claimed both Munster and All-Ireland titles. In 1957 Murphy claimed a place on the starting fifteen. He won his first Munster medal on the field if play that year as Tipperary claimed a sixth successive provincial championship following a 3-8 to 1-4 defeat of Limerick. The subsequent All-Ireland decider saw Kilkenny provide the opposition. A narrow 4-7 to 3-7 victory gave Murphy his first All-Ireland medal on the field of play. Murphy was eligible for the minor grade for a third successive year in 1958 and was appointed captain of the year. Tipperary's campaign ended prematurely with a defeat by Limerick. Senior Murphy made his senior debut on 23 October 1960 in the final of the Oireachtas Tournament. A 4-11 to 2-10 defeat of Cork made it a winning start, while he