Laois man hopes to podium for Ireland at the World Powerlifting Championships
Laois man Mark Murphy began strength training at 21-years-old and after 20 years of hard work and dreaming, he will take to the stage this November at the World Powerlifting Championships.
Mark will represent Ireland amongst the strongest lifters from over 40 countries, competing under the banner of the World Powerlifting Congress in South Africa.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Ryan McHugh's life from GAA family dynasty to wife & job as he aims to finally lift Sam Maguire
RYAN McHugh will be aiming to join his father and brother this weekend in becoming an All-Ireland winner. Despite being a veteran of the Donegal panel, the 31-year-old just missed out on their 2012 triumph as he made his debut the following year. Advertisement 7 He and wife Bridget own a coffee shop together Credit: @ryanmchugh2 7 They tied the knot in December 2023 Credit: @ryanmchugh2 7 He'll be cheered on by the whole family this Sunday at Croke Park Credit: @ryanmchugh2 7 Brother Mark picked up an All-Star award in 2012 He did come awfully close in 2014 against Kerry. The pain from that day lingers to the extent that he's By the end of his second season at the highest level, he was already an Ulster Championship winner and Young Footballer of the Year — nevertheless, his quest for the holy grail is ongoing. Here, SunSport finds out a bit more about his life away from the Gaelic football pitch: WHAT IS RYAN McHUGH'S JOB? He and wife Bridget run a coffee shop in Donegal Town. It opened a little over a year ago and is wittily named McBrew. Advertisement Read More On GAA Previously he'd predominantly worked in sales. A graduate of Ulster University in Business Studies, he'd held various sales roles across companies like Ocean Knowledge and C & C Group. The latter is a food and drinks giant so that would've given him the grounding (no pun intended) on striking out on his own in the coffee industry. Only last month Bridget The two-time All-Star made sure to thank all of the staff who had ensured Bridget and Senán received the best of care over the past few days. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football He wrote: "Senán McHugh 23/06/2025. "I would just like to thank Letterkenny Hospital for the wonderful care they took of Bridget and Senán over the past week. Thankfully everyone is doing good and back home." Henry Shefflin picks RTE Sunday Game Hurler of the Year but wants no blame for selection for best 15 picks DAD AND BROTHER Those of a certain vintage will remember Mark as being a rampaging half-forward during Jim McGuinness' first stint in charge of Donegal. The 34-year-old actually made an entertaining cameo before this month's Advertisement He and Paul Shankey Those of an even older vintage will remember their father Martin also being a menace in his day. Not only was he on the 1992 team that lifted Sam Maguire for the first time in the Ulster county's history but he was duly awarded Footballer of the Year. Advertisement All three McHughs are proud members of the Kilcar club who play on a pitch by the ocean. Even by Donegal standards it's a particularly stunning backdrop. The village is located in the Gaeltacht region in the south-west of Donegal near Muckross. 7 The half-back possesses one of the best gas tanks in Gaelic football Advertisement 7 Martin McHugh was a star centre-forward in his day 7 Senán McHugh was born last month
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
Laois man hopes to podium for Ireland at the World Powerlifting Championships
Today at 04:18 Laois man Mark Murphy began strength training at 21-years-old and after 20 years of hard work and dreaming, he will take to the stage this November at the World Powerlifting Championships. Mark will represent Ireland amongst the strongest lifters from over 40 countries, competing under the banner of the World Powerlifting Congress in South Africa.
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Extra.ie
Dublin goalkeeper signs with NFL giants from IPP
Mark McNamee is the latest Irish star to hang up his GAA gloves for a move across the pond to the NFL. The former Ballyboden St Enda's goalkeeper has signed for Green Bay Packers after making the International Player Pathway (IPP) programme for 2025. The Dublin native joins another Irish kicker on the roster, Dan Whelan, who signed for the Packers in 2023. Mark McNamee is a former goalkeeper for Ballyboden St Enda's in Dublin. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Mark is a member of The Leader Kicking group and follows in the footsteps of ex-Down GAA footballer Charlie Smyth, who joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad through the programme last year. 'Another huge moment for the sport in Ireland as more and more teams in College/NFL recognize our elite leg talent,' said Tadhg Leader, the NFL IPP Kicking and Punting coach who the 25-year-old worked with. 'Congrats to you and your family Mark. Let's keep it rolling. Work to do.' Mark joined Canadian Football League franchise BC Lions after being included in the IPP but was released last month after playing two pre-season games for the Vancouver-based franchise. Jude McAtamney made his NFL regular season debut in 2024. Pic:In November, Derry's Jude McAtamney became the first Irish-born placekicker to feature in a regular season NFL game since 1985. He made his debut for New York Giants against the Washington Commanders in a game where he successfully kicked a field goal and some extra points. Meanwhile, Charlie Smyth is still trying to break into the Saints gameday squad after signing a three-year deal in 2024. Other GAA stars such as Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson also impressed at the NFL Combines last year but unfortunately did not receive contract offers.
