Paddy Murphy competed in the men’s half-heavyweight (-93kg) judo at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, finishing 19th – losing a split decision to a Polish judoka despite a preparation that was among the most dedicated undertaken by any Irish athlete at those Games.

Born in Ringsend, Dublin, and based in Ballyfermot as a blacksmith, Murphy had been introduced to judo in 1964 and competed in European Championships in Luxembourg (1966) and Rome (1967) – for the latter, he and five colleagues drove to Rome sardine-like in Liam Carroll’s VW Beetle with gear and tent on the roof rack.

A man ‘with a mission’ at international tournaments, he picked the brains of foreign judoka on their techniques and methods, also working out with the Vulcan Club wrestlers to improve his mat technique and training with the boxers at the National Stadium.

He spent four years based in London before Munich, making it his full-time base in the final year of preparation – financing this with three years’ savings accumulated working on London building sites.

At the Renshuden Judo Academy he trained alongside British Olympic squad members including David Starbrook, Munich silver medallist. Dr Ken Kingsbury introduced him to modern ideas on nutrition and mental conditioning. Despite everything, he lost on a split decision.