Two-time Irish Olympian Frank Murphy has passed away following a battle with Parkinson's disease.
It's understood that Murphy was fighting the disease for years and passed away in a Dublin nursing home earlier today.
During his career, Murphy won a silver medal (1,500m) at the 1969 European Championships where he set an Irish record. He won another silver medal at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Vienna.
He also represented Ireland in the 1,500m at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and again in Munich four years later, over 800m and 1,500m.
He was a member of the Clonliffe Harriers club in Drumcondra and won successive National Mile titles in 1966 and 1967.
In 2014, he was inducted into the Athletics Ireland Hall of Fame.
Tributes are being paid to the talented athlete this evening:
At Villanova, Frank Murphy won 6 NCAA titles: XC (1966,1967,1968), DMR (anchor, 1968 + 1969), 1969 880i, plus 8 Penn Relays + 1 IC4A crowns. pic.twitter.com/R6o2m1asRO
— Run Nova (@RunNova) January 5, 2017
Sad to hear of the passing of Irish track legend Frank Murphy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam. @irishathletics pic.twitter.com/Bc35GAtbaq
— Setanta College (@SetantaCollege) January 5, 2017
Frank Murphy was part of 3 NCAA XC Championship teams at Villanova: 1966 (25th), 1967 (68th), 1968 (47th). 1969 NCAA indoor champ at 880y. pic.twitter.com/CAx2h3Lmmb
— Run Nova (@RunNova) January 5, 2017
Remembering Frank Murphy -- RIP
1970 Morton Mile in Dublin:
1. Kip Keino 3:59.2
2. Frank Murphy 3:59.3
3. Marty Liquori 4:02.1 pic.twitter.com/H82W7r8oAH— Run Nova (@RunNova) January 5, 2017
Sad to hear the passing of Irish Athletics legend Frank Murphy - Euro outdoor & Indoor 1500m silver 1969 & 1970 - Double Olympian #RIP pic.twitter.com/1BCeq6oWBG
— Pierce O'Callaghan (@Pierceathletics) January 5, 2017
Sad to report the passing of @irishathletics @NovaTrackXC @ClonliffeHAC running legend Frank Murphy. May he RIP. pic.twitter.com/8VT643UaM9
— Eamonn Coghlan (@EamonnCoghlan1) January 5, 2017
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