A recent episode of Last Word on BBC Radio 4 included a piece on the legendary Irish cyclist Mick Murphy who died in September of this year.
The Kerryman became known as ‘The Iron Man’ following his win in the Rás Tailteann in 1958 and in addition to being a cyclist, Murphy was also a farmer, wrestler, circus performer, bricklayer and fire eater.
Murphy would weightlift using home made stone weights and would eat raw meat in addition to drinking cow’s blood, which he said he learned about from the Masai warriors of East Africa.
He came from humble beginnings and left school at an early age to help support his family. He would later move to England where he competed at boxing and wrestling.
His 1958 Rás win was legendary. He had only taken up the sport the previous year and nobody expected him to be in contention for the win. However, he came to the attention of all when he won the second stage to Wexford.
However, he suffered a mechanical failure during the stage to Clonakilty and had to borrow an old heavy bike from a local farmer to finish the stage. Despite having no gears on the bike, he was able to limit his losses to his rivals and remain in contention.
He retired from the sport two years later after his third-placed finish in the 1960 Rás.
Over the past number of years, Murphy had been living in spartan conditions with no electricity or running water in a shack near Cahersiveen, Co Kerry.
You can listen to the programme here: http://bbc.in/1OccOZH
THE Iron Man – Legend!