Dinner to mark the upcoming retirement of Ulster GAA Provincial Secretary Danny Murphy

The Ulster Council hosted a special dinner to honour Provincial Secretary and Chief Executive of Ulster GAA Danny Murphy last Tuesday night at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.  The event was attended by GAA Officials and Danny’s family to mark his upcoming retirement and provided an opportunity to thank him for his unstinting dedication, commitment and service to the GAA in Ulster that has spanned over 35 years.

Danny has delivered an outstanding contribution to the association since his playing days – representing his beloved St Mary’s GAC Burren in football from 1967 until 1985 and playing hurling with Rostrevor from 1978 until 1987 and Warrenpoint 1988 and 1989. As a Manager and Selector he was involved with a number of Down county teams including the National League winning team of 1983, Minors from 1988 – 1991 and the U-21 and Senior teams in the early 90s – including the 1994 All Ireland Senior winners.

Danny’s administrative career began with his appointment to the Down County board as a club delegate. Election to the role of as Assistant Secretary of Down followed in the early 80s and he continued on this path, ultimately becoming Chairman of the Down County Board in 1990. His role in the Ulster Council began in 1981 when he was elected as Down delegate to Comhairle Uladh and in the intervening 35 years he has held every Officership – Treasurer (1986-1994), Vice President (1995-1997) and President (1998-2001). During this time Danny achieved the unique distinction of becoming the only person to have held the roles of Secretary and President of Comhairle Uladh at the same time, when he became Rúnaí/Secretary and Chief Executive in 1997.

Overseeing many changes and developments during his time at the helm of Ulster GAA, Danny’s strong vision and leadership created a road map through the development and implementation of strategic plans that have resulted in unprecedented results both on and off the field for the GAA throughout the province.

Of the many achievements delivered during his time with the Ulster Council, Danny regards the most satisfying as the ground-breaking allocation of funding to the GAA for the installation of floodlighting to county grounds across Ulster. This resulted in a totally different dynamic to GAA fixtures in Ulster – allowing games to be played outside the normal windows of weekends and early season only and paving the way for our modern day schedules.

The additional allocation of funding received at that time also provided the platform for the development of the ‘delivery arm’ of the Ulster Council – the Coaching & Games, Community & Public Affairs and Administration staff structures.

Danny’s beloved Down lifted the Sam Maguire in 1968 and it was a long wait for Ulster until the Mourne men again claimed the title in 1991, when Danny was a very proud County Chairman. As a member of the Ulster Council, Danny saw Donegal and Derry claim their first titles in 1992 and 1993 respectively, followed by Down in 1994. Then, after Danny became Provincial Secretary/CEO of the Ulster Council in 2001, he had the privilege of organising a homecoming for Armagh’s first All-Ireland in 2002 and likewise for Tyrone in 2003. This was followed by further success for Tyrone in 2005 & 2008 and then Donegal’s success in 2012. As a proud Ulster man, these were great occasions for Danny – to see five different Ulster counties win the Sam Maguire cup.

As a former Vice President of the GAA from 1998-2001, Danny chaired several key central GAA committees, including the first GAA ICT Committee and the Committee on the Amateur Status of the GAA. He was instrumental in overseeing significant rule changes at GAA Congress, including at 2008 Congress, which saw the Association move from a non-sectarian and non-racist stance to an active anti-sectarian and anti-racist policy. He actively encouraged the GAA membership to adopt the removal of Rule 21, whilst advocating and promoting reconciliation, tolerance and respect across communities by outreaching and engaging with different groups and individuals.

Under Danny’s stewardship, Ulster GAA initiated an integration process that has resulted in closer relationships between the three GAA bodies – Ulster GAA, Ulster Ladies Gaelic Football and Ulster Camogie and he has also promoted greater links with Handball and Rounders within the province.

He has also formed important strategic working relationships with other major sports governing bodies in the North of Ireland, which has resulted in significant benefits for each of these organisations and the GAA.

His desire to see a new provincial stadium for the GAA in Ulster is steadfast and the response to the newly released proposed plans for Casement Park will be of enormous encouragement to all Ulster Gaels.

Danny’s outstanding leadership was acknowledged with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ulster in 2012 and earlier this year he was honoured by the First Minister, Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness at Stormont in recognition of his efforts in promoting reconciliation, tolerance and respect across communities, through the GAA Community Development, Engagement and Outreach programme

Danny said that he is immensely proud to have been part of a great team that has delivered for Ulster for over 35 years. He has worked with numerous officers, with his own club, then his county, then along with the other eight counties in Ulster. He has worked nationally and internationally to promote our culture, games & heritage – ar fud na domháin.

Speaking at the event, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Comhairle Uladh, Michael Hasson said “On my own behalf as President of the Ulster Council, on behalf of my fellow officers, members and staff of Comhairle Uladh, the Gaels of Ulster, I thank Danny for his friendship, advice, immense commitment, dedication and service to each and every one of us and our great Association over the last 35 years”.

Michael also thanked the members of Danny’s family in attendance for being such great support to Danny and all of the Ulster Council for so many years.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail said:

Danny’s commitment to Cumann Lúthchleas Gael and to everything that the GAA stood for was absolute and definite. The work of Ulster GAA and the Association nationally was all one to Danny – it was always about constant advancement and making things better. When he came into Comhairle Uladh everything changed with his strong planning and ambition. He taught myself and a lot of people here this evening over the years and I thank Danny for all his support and advice.

Also speaking at the dinner Ard Stiúrthóir Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Páraic Duffy said:

‘’Danny was one of the most progressive people I have met in the GAA – he could always find a way to do what was best for the Association. He was a man of great vision and strategic planning and the strength of the GAA across Ulster at club and county level, with fantastic infrastructure – that is his legacy. He has delivered outstanding work in the cross community space and has been a fantastic ambassador for the GAA. On behalf of the Association nationally, I thank Danny for all he has done for us’’

Danny’s fellow Council Officers, members and staff as well as County Officers, family and friends are indebted to him for all that he has accomplished in his own modest way. Danny, we thank you most sincerely.

As the motto of Danny’s beloved St. Mary’s Club in Burren says:

‘Ar aghaidh le cheile – Onwards together’.