Lough Money Road, last match played March 1997 before move to St Patrick's Road.

St Patrick's Park, Saul before major work was started

St Patrick's Park, Saul Official opening of grounds and clubroooms, Sunday 27th April 1997

Player1: Dickie Murphy

Since its beginning seventy seventy six years ago, Saul have had many men who gained selection for the Down Football team, but of all of them Dickie Murphy is the most successful. Saul's link with Down's golden years in the sixties.

Dickie was first introduced to Gaelic football by Jim Hynds who at that time managed the Saul Schoolboys and benefited from the advice of his PT instructor at St Patrick's Secondary School - the great Jim McKeever of Derry. He originally played as goalkeeper and had a county minor trial at this position, It wasn't until the early 60's that he first took up midfield position.

Dickie first wore the red and black jersey for the Down Junior team in 1964 and from then until his last game for Down in 1971 his medal tally is one which shows how accomplished a player he was: 1 all-Ireland senior Medal, 1 National League , 3 Ulster Senior Medals, 2 Ulster Junior Medals, 1 Grounds Tournament, 1 Lagan Cup and 1 Wembley Tournament. Dickie has fond memories from his days with Down, as part of the all conquering '68 squad he traveled to America and played against the Australians under compromise rules. He feels proud to have played with most of the great Down players of the 60's and when asked who the best was he can't split Paddy Doherty and Sean O'Neill. He cites Pat Collier of Meath as his most difficult Opponent, though he points out that at county level all opponents are hard.

He played for Down in the infamous "Battle of Ballinascreen", and fondly remembers playing against his former mentor Jim McKeever in a tournament game at Ballycastle. Of all his achievements at inter county level he recalls that winning Ulster Championship medals at Junior and Senior in 1968, was probably the greatest.

He also was captain of the Junior team which lost to Kildare by a point in the semi final. At club level Dickie was a great servant to Saul, and feels that Saul had so many good players they should have had more success, players like Paddy and Jim Hamill, Brian McKinney, Oliver Gilchrist, Willie McVeigh, Columba and Martin Fitzsimons and Lennie Curran to mention a few.

For Saul he won a junior championship medal in 1964 and an East Down sportsman of the year award in 1970. On reflection Dickie says football was good to him. He recalls the contrast between changing behind the ditch at the Jockey's four roads with Croke Park where he had his greatest thrill in his football life, playing against the great Mick O'Connell of Kerry.

His advise to young players of today is..

"If you really want to succeed work hard at it, and you will achieve your goal"