George Newcomen MORPHY

Educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen before going to University College Dublin, George Morphy was the son of a Dublin barrister and he himself became a solicitor. A versatile athlete, Morphy appeared in his first National Championship in 1905 and went on to win nine Irish AAA titles – 440 y (1908-10), 880 y (1905-06, 1908), and the mile (1905-06, 1908) – he was the champion in all three events in 1908 and nearly repeated the feat in 1909 when he won the 440y but could finish only second in the 880 y and mile. His first representative honours were in 1905 when he helped Dublin University beat the United London Hospitals at Guys, with his wins in the 880 y and mile paving the way for a 5-4 victory. He stayed in London to take part in the AAA championship the following week, but the best he could manage was a second place in his 880 y heat. Two weeks later Morphy made his Ireland début against Scotland at Edinburgh. It was a fixture he was to appear in five times between 1905 and 1909 when he bowed out with victory in the mile at Dublin. Morphy served with the Royal Army Service Corps from 1914-21.

Personal Bests: 440y – 52.4 (1908); 880y – 1:56.8 (1905); Mile – 4:29.6 (1905).