Father Murphy’s continued their winning start to the 2026 season with an impressive performance against Cú Chullainns in the Ronan Cup semi-final in Scrubs on Thursday night.

The Murphys started brightly and got on the scoresheet early through Ryan Meyler and Eoin O’Leary. That fast start set the tone for the evening as they built a commanding early lead and never looked back. Full forward Meyler led the scoring with three first-half goals. The first was a long-range effort that found its way all the way to the net, while the second was a delightful lob over the advancing goalkeeper.

At the back, debutant Ronan Keane and club stalwart Aaron Roche were in fine form, both heavily involved in launching attacks and creating scores at the other end. The first half was played at a high tempo, with the Murphys moving the ball well through midfield before finishing clinically in front of goal. Midfielder Matt Murphy, along with wing forwards Michael Burke and Jack Carroll, also added their names to the scoresheet. By half-time, the Murphys had built a commanding 3-16 to 0-3 lead.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with defenders Aaron Coughlan and Brogan Campbell keeping Cú Chullainns at bay while also helping to create a number of well-worked team scores. Half-time substitutes Colin Maher, Aaron O’Gara and debutant Brendan Hassan all made an instant impact with finely taken points.

Midfielder Tom Foley’s hard work throughout the game was rewarded with five minutes remaining when excellent teamwork involving Daniel Greene and Eoin O’Leary led to Foley finishing smartly to the net.

The Murphys now advance to the Ronan Cup Final, where they will face Fulham Irish. The game is set for Wednesday, 20th May, in McGovern Park, Ruislip, and all support for Sean, Tony, Darren and the players would be greatly appreciated.

1. Chris Weller
2. Joseph Walshe
3. Shaun O’Sullivan
4. Ronan Keane
5. Paul Ryan
6. Aaron Coughlan
7. Aaron Roche
8. Tom Foley
9. Matt Murphy
10. Michael Burke
11. Eoin O’Leary
12. Jack Carroll
13. Daniel Greene
14. Ryan Meyler
15. Darren Howlin

Subs

Aaron O’Gara for Aaron Roche

Colin Maher for Daniel Greene

Brogan Campbell for Joseph Walsh

Brendan Hassan for Ryan Meyler

Daniel Greene for Michael Burke

Father Murphys 0-06 vs 1-17 Kilburn Gaels

Father Murphys came up short in their final group game of the Senior Hurling Championship, losing out to Kilburn Gaels in challenging conditions at a rain-drenched McGovern Park.

The wet weather made for a physical and scrappy affair, with scores hard to come by early on. Both sides exchanged long-range efforts in the opening half, with John Kehoe in fine form for the Murphys, notching four well-taken points. Defences were largely on top, with Paul Ryan and Alan Griffith standing out for their respective sides.

Kilburn edged ahead as the half progressed, leading 0-9 to 0-4 approaching the break. Sean Howlin responded with a fine point for Murphys, but Kilburn struck a crucial goal on the stroke of half-time to extend their advantage to seven points.

As the weather worsened after the restart, scoring chances became increasingly scarce. Kilburn managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over with a series of long-range points, keeping Murphys at arm’s length.

Conor McAreavey provided the standout moment of the second half with a brilliant individual score, but it proved to be only a consolation as Kilburn held firm to claim the win

Team

1. Michael Casey
2. Alan Griffith
3. Darragh O’Connor
4. Paul Ryan
5. Conor McAreavey
6. Eoin O’Leary
7. Aaron O’Gara
8. Matt Murphy
9. Aaron Roche
10. Ryan Meyler
11. John Kehoe
12. Jack Cahalane 
13. Sean Howlin
14. Eoin Power
15. Darren Howlin

Subs

Daniel Moloney for Ryan Meyler

Gavin Watchhorn for Jack Cahalane

Danny McCarthy for Darragh O’Connor

Father Murphys 4-13 vs 7-20 Sean Traceys

Father Murphys fell to Sean Traceys in a competitive third-round encounter of the Senior Hurling Championship, with Traceys finishing strongly to secure a deserved victory.

The game began at a blistering pace, with both sides trading early scores. Daniel Burke and Ryan Meyler were on target for the men in purple and gold, keeping Murphys well in the contest. However, Traceys soon struck with two quick goals from well-worked attacking moves, putting them firmly in control.

Murphys responded admirably, with Aaron O’Gara picking out Eoin O’Leary with a pinpoint pass, and O’Leary made no mistake in rattling the net. Burke added another point shortly after, reducing the deficit to three points and reigniting Murphys’ momentum.

Despite this, Sean Traceys regained control, adding two more goals before the break. A late 21-yard free from Meyler trimmed the margin slightly, but the sides went in at half-time with Traceys holding an eight-point lead.

Father Murphys opened the second half brightly with two early frees, showing renewed energy and intent. However, Traceys once again took control in the latter stages and finished the stronger of the two sides.

Ryan Meyler added a late goal for Murphys, and Tom Foley chipped in with a well-taken individual point, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit as Sean Traceys ran out winners.

Team

1. Michael Casey
2. Alan Griffith
3. Mark Gethings
4. Paul Ryan
5. Conor McAreavey
6. Sean Howlin
7. Darragh O’Connor
8. Aaron O’Gara
9. Tom Foley
10. Aaron Roche
11. Daniel Burke
12. Eoin O’Leary
13. John Kehoe
14. Jack O’Connell
15. Ryan Meyler

Subs

Daniel Moloney for Darragh O’Connor

Brogan Campbell for Alan Griffith

Matt Murphy for Conor McAreavey

Jack Cahalane for Ryan Meyler

Conor Moynihan for Aaron O’Gara

Father Murphys 1-9 vs 3-21 Brother Pearse

Father Murphys suffered defeat in Round 2 of the Senior Hurling Championship, going down to a strong Brother Pearse side. Missing several players from the previous week, Murphys fell behind early to one of the championship’s main contenders and were unable to claw their way back, despite a spirited second-half performance.

The sides traded scores in the opening stages, but a powerful finish to the first half saw the Division 1 League champions pull away from the Division 2 winners. Murphys rallied after the restart, with Ryan Meyer, Sean Howlin, and John Kehoe all finding scores, but the gap proved too great to overturn.

Attention now turns to Round 3, where Father Murphys will face Sean Traceys on Sunday, September 7th, in Ruislip. The club is calling on all supporters to get behind the team for this crucial clash.

Team

Father Murphys 3-15 vs 1-22 Robert Emmets

Father Murphys narrowly missed out on a memorable victory in their return to the senior ranks of London hurling, falling to last year’s runners-up Robert Emmets in a thrilling Round 1 clash of the London Senior Hurling Championship at Greenford.

In a fiercely contested encounter, the Murphys showed they are more than capable of competing at this level, pushing Emmets all the way before eventually losing out by the slimmest of margins.Murphys made a bright start, registering the opening scores through Ryan Meyler and Des Coyne. However, Emmets, who were beaten finalists last year against St Gabriels, responded with a well-worked team goal. Both sides exchanged scores throughout the first half, with Meyler proving accurate from placed balls.Murphys’ first goal came midway through the half when Ciaran Kelly pounced on a long ball from midfield to finish from close range. Their second goal arrived five minutes before the break, when Kelly turned provider, feeding Eoin O’Leary who soloed towards goal and unselfishly passed to Meyler, who rifled the ball to the net. Despite the Murphys’ efforts, Emmets found success with a series of long-range points and went into the break leading 1-14 to 2-8.The second half began in electric fashion, with Murphys striking their third goal when a long puck-out broke kindly for Meyler, who finished superbly from a tight angle. At the other end, defenders Mark Gethings, Paul Ryan, and Alan Griffith began to get the upper hand, stifling the Emmets attack and launching several counterattacks.Midfield duo Aaron O’Gara and Tom Foley also played a pivotal role, tirelessly breaking up play and winning turnovers that led to scoring chances. The Murphys drew level with 15 minutes to go and traded points with Emmets in a tense final quarter. Scores came through long-range efforts from O’Leary, frees from Barry Burke, and some sharp finishing by Meyler.However, it was Emmets who had the final say, edging ahead with one of the last pucks of the game.

Father Murphys will be back in action in Round 2 of the Championship against Brother Pearse, once again in Greenford, on Sunday, August 17th at 1:30pm. Gavin and the team would greatly appreciate all support on the day.

Team

1 Michael Casey 2 Alan Griffith3 Mark Gethings4 Seamus McMahon5 Darragh O’Connor6 Barry Burke7 Paul Ryan8 Tom Foley9 Aaron O’Gara10 Eoin O’Leary11 Daniel Burke12 Des Coyne13 Ryan Meyler14 Ciaran Kelly15 John Kehoe

Subs

Keefer Roche for O’Connor

Colin Maher for Coyne

Adam O’Callaghan for Kelly

Father Murphys 4-10 vs 1-12 St Gabriels

The Father Murphys secured their first piece of silverware for 2025 on Thursday night overcoming St Gabriels in the Keltic Management League 2 Final. Despite the 30c weather the game was played at a high intensity throughout with the Murphys finishing strong to see off a tough test from the men from St Gabriels.

The Murphys started strong with a great individual score from Eirean Quilkin which was followed up by a goal finished calmy to the net by full forward Ryan Meyler. Gabriels recovered well though and got the next 3 scores to bring the margin back to one. Both team then traded frees with Meyler converting them for the Murphys to keep them in the lead, this lead was then extended through a goal by captain Tom Foley to put the Murphys 4 ahead. By the half time whistle the lead was reduced to 2, 2-5 to 0-09.

The second half was dominated by the defences with the Murphys lead by Darragh O’Connor, Mark Gethings and Seamus Mcmahon keeping the Gabriels scoreless for most of the half. The Murphys then added a third goal through half time sub Colin Maher when a Ryan Meyler shot was saved but it fell to Maher who finished to the net from close range. Gabriels however fought back and got a goal with 10 minutes left to bring them back 5 points. However the Murphys responded quickly, a great turnover from Darren Howlin followed by a long hand pass feed Gavin Watchhorn who was fouled inside the square leading to a penalty. It was Meyler again to finish to the net from the 21 with a low shot to his right. This was enough to see the lads over the line and win by 4-10 to 1-12.

This is the Murphys fifth trophy in over a year, following on from the historic 2024 campaign. To celebrate the club is holding a medal night on July 18th, all support is greatly appreciated.

Starting Team
1 Chris Weller
2 Alan Griffith
3 Mark Gethings
4 Seamus McMahon
5 Matt Murphy
6 John Kehoe
7 Paul Ryan
8 Conor McAreavey
9 Matt Murphy
10 Tom Foley
11 Jack Cahalane
12 Eoin O’Leary
13 Sean Howlin
14 Ryan Meyler
15 Eirean Quilkin

Subs

Aaron O’Gara for Matt Murphy

Colin Maher for Sean Howlin

Darren Howlin for Jack Cahalane

Gavin Watchhorn for Eirean Quilkin

Barnaby Hartley
David O Flynn
Dan Maloney
Mikey O Donoghue
Danny McCarthy
Conor Moynihan