Laois roundabout to be named after GAA star

A roundabout is to be named after the ‘greatest footballer never to win an all Ireland’.  

Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming tabled a motion calling for the naming of the roundabout in Graiguecullen. 

He asked “that Laois County Council rename the Sleaty Road Roundabout in Graiguecullen to the Tommy Murphy Road Roundabout. This proposal represents a meaningful opportunity to recognise and honour Tommy Murphy.” 

He was born on the Knockbeg Road adjacent to the college. Tommy Murphy played football for Laois from 1937 aged 16 until 1953 winning three Leinster Titles eventually beaten by Kerry in the All Ireland semi final in 1937. He won an All -Time All - Star award in 1981. In 1999 the Gaelic Athletic Association honoured him by naming him on the Gaelic Football ‘Team of the Millennium’. He was further honoured in 2005 when the GAA named the ‘The Tommy Murphy Cup’ a new football competition in his honour. Knockbeg College are asking for this request and they have received permission from the Murphy Family,” Cllr Fleming stated. 

In a written response, Laois County Council’s Naming Committee stated that: “This Motion was up for consideration at the February 2026 Naming Committee Meeting and was approved at same. Will be carried out in due course.”

“Every Laois person and every football person throughout Ireland knows the name of Tommy Murphy,” said Cllr Fleming. 

He asked Senior Executive Engineer Tom Drennan how long it would take to put the signage in place. 

Mr Drennan said “the hard part is done” as the motion was approved. He expressed a hope that the signage could be put in place during the Spring and “certainly before the summer”. 

Independent Cllr Ben Brennan, who seconded the motion, said “it should have been done at the time these roundabouts were actually opened”. 

“He was the greatest footballer that never won an All Ireland,” added Cllr Brennan. 

The issue was discussed at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.