Laois roundabout to be renamed after ‘boy wonder’ Tommy Murphy
Plans are a foot to rename the Sleaty Roundabout at Graiguecullen, the Tommy Murphy Roundabout
SLEATY Road roundabout in Graiguecullen is set to be renamed ‘Tommy Murphy Road Roundabout’ in the coming weeks.
The motion was proposed by cllr Padraig Fleming (FF) and seconded by cllr Ben Brennan (Ind) at the latest Graiguecullen/Portarlington municipal district meeting.
Cllr Fleming noted that this proposal represents a meaningful opportunity to recognise and honour Graiguecullen native Tommy Murphy, who played football for Laois from 1937 until 1953. His gaelic football career started when he was only 16 years of age.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Tommy Murphy was a well-known player, winning Leinster provincial medals in 1937, 1938 and 1946. He also won eight Laois SFC medals and two Railway Cup medals for Leinster.
He was honoured with an All-time All-Star award in 1981 in recognition of his contribution to gaelic football. In 1999, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) named him on the gaelic football ‘team of the millennium’ and in 2004 the GAA established the Tommy Murphy cup, a new football competition in his honour, which ran until 2008.
Knockbeg College, Tommy Murphy’s alma mater, had requested the change. They have received permission from the Murphy family.
Tom Drennan, senior executive engineer of Laois Co Council, noted that the motion was up for consideration at the February naming committee meeting and was approved. He said that changes will be carried out in due course.
Cllr Fleming welcomed the news and enquired about timeframe, noting that new signage will be needed.
Mr Drennan said orders will be put in place with a supplier and the change will, hopefully, be completed by springtime.
