Inside Track: Louth defender Murray won a championship medal as a forward

Dessie Murray played all of his football with Louth seniors as a defender, but when his career got the reward it deserved with a senior championship win, he lined out at full-forward.

Dessie, who died last week, was born and lived all of his life in Drogheda. He first associated with the O’Rahilly’s, playing with the Gaelic Grounds club until his transfer to neighbouring Newtown Blues.

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It was while playing with O’Rahilly’s that he made his senior county debut. He played at centre-half in the league match with Leitrim in 1974, and after that found a regular spot at wing-full.

He was there when Louth played Dublin in the ’74 championship semi-final, watched by a record Navan crowd of just over 31,000.

Following his switch to Newtown Blues, Dessie played in attack, and was at No 14 when Blues beat Cooley Kickhams 2-11 to 1-6 in the 1981 championship final, played at St Joseph’s Cluskey Park.

Although in failing health in recent times, Dessie continued to take an interest in Blues teams. Son, Jimmy, followed in his father’s footsteps, playing inter-county football and winning senior championship medals with Blues.

Many Louth clubs were represented at yesterday’s Requiem Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church and at the removal of remains to Newtown Lawns Cross cemetery.