One of Ireland's most fascinating characters has unfortunately passed away, but he leaves behind him a truly unique story.
Mick 'Iron Man' Murphy was a three time winner of the Rás Tailteann cycling stage race, his last win coming in his final appearance in 1960.
Some legendary stories emerged from his three years of competitive cycling, such as winning his first Rás Tailteann after only taking up cycling a year before, breaking his collarbone only to continue racing for four days, and stealing a bike from a local farmer after his own bike had a mechanical failure, but what is perhaps most remarkable is his list of professions.
During his 80+ years, Mick 'Iron Man' Murphy plied his trade as a cyclist, wrestler, boxer, runner, farmer, circus performer, fire eater, ventriloquist and bricklayer.
Although his exact age was not known, he was born in the 1930's and lived to be 80 years plus. Another one of his unique habits was drinking cows blood during training, which he explained in an interview with RTÉ:
Legendary Mick 'Iron Man' Murphy has died after an extraordinary life http://t.co/o8JZwmnNyA
https://t.co/nT1wc42qXS
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 11, 2015
His life will be remembered as truly legendary, and those who knew of his incredible story took to twitter to express their sorrow at the recent news:
Death of a Kerry legend. RIP The Iron Man, Mick Murphy
— Owen O'Shea (@OwenOShea) September 11, 2015
Cycling great Mick 'Iron Man' Murphy, unbelievably colourful character. RIP. http://t.co/9N1tYwzBNn
— Peter Fennell (@fennell_p) September 11, 2015
@Digger_forum No fancy transfusions for Mick Murphy. Just drink the blood straight from the cows leg. #RIP #IronMan
— Padraig Bunyan (@Bunyan13) September 11, 2015
Cycling great Mick 'Iron Man' Murphy dies http://t.co/sIhU0IzOco bheidh a leithead aris ann
— Jim Fogarty (@Jimmyjamslam) September 11, 2015
RiP 'iron man' Mick Murphy. A true great of Irish cycling :-(
— Tour de Ireland (@veloem) September 11, 2015
Sad news this evening. The iconic "Iron Man" Mick Murphy has passed away. RIP to a true Kerry legend.
— THE KERRYMAN (@kerryman_ie) September 11, 2015
Sad to hear of the passing of Mick Murphy. One of Ireland's greatest athletes. The original Iron Man #RIP pic.twitter.com/Pxvd0qiOx5
— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) September 11, 2015
To find out more about Mick Murphy, watch the following short documentary from 2013:
May he rest in peace.
via RTÉ Sport.
