Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Importance of Being Frank

More on Frank Murphy, bastion of the Cork County Board and nemesis of the Cork hurling team.

A few years ago a friend of mine was called to a meeting with him in Pairc ui Caoimh to discuss an event my friend was hoping to hold at the venue. When he arrived
himself and his colleagues were ushered into a meeting room and seated on small plastic bucket chairs on one side of a giant table (around 40 feet long). On the other side of the table was what can only be described as an elevated throne, a large hand carved armchair. After a lengthy wait, Frank sidled in and assumed this throne. His response to most requests was "I am nearly sure that would be almost possible. I'll come back to you". He does everything by the book (my friend reported), so he cannot be argued with, and never made eye contact with anyone the whole time they were there.

An old Cork acquaintance once told me that he had been in school with Frank and that he was "the most hated boy from High Babies to Leaving". And it didn't stop then it seems.