Ex-champion boxer speaks of heartbreak after fiancée left him for Michael Flatley
The retired heavyweight, who dated the well-known model for most of the 90s, told how he could not compete with Flatley who was making 'a million pounds a week'
The legendary Irish boxer Joe Egan has recalled the heartbreak he endured when former love Lisa Murphy left him for dancing super star Michael Flatley.
The retired heavyweight, who dated the well-known model for most of the 90s, told how he could not compete with Flatley who was making 'a million pounds a week'.
'My ex-missus, you know I won't speak bad of her, she passed away last year God rest her, Lisa Murphy,' Egan said.
'But she left me for Michael Flatley who at the time was the biggest star in the world, the Irish dancer. He was earning a million pounds a week.
'I'd have nearly gone with him myself, to tell you the truth. I couldn't compete with him, in the money (stakes).
Lisa Murphy
News in 90 Seconds - June 17
'She left me, like I said, for the biggest star in the world and at the time it was very, very hard, to accept. But then, you meet another girl, and you're like, 'what was I moping over that one for?
'It just hurts, at the time, (but) you'll get another girl and a better girl.'
Following her split with Irish boxing legend Egan in 1999, Lisa began a romance with Riverdance icon Flatley.
She later dated celebrity lawyer Gerald Kean for ten years, between 2006 and 2016, but tragically died last year after a six-year battle against cancer at age 51.
Joe who was with Lisa until they split was heartbroken at her death, telling The Irish Sun: 'She fought so, so hard . . . the only positive is that she is at peace now.'
'I am absolutely heartbroken. I loved her, I will always love her. She was one of the kindest people you could ever possibly meet,' he said at the time.
Big Joe said the Dublin Wives star was one of the kindest people he'd ever met, adding that she 'never spoke a bad word about me, she never spoke a bad word about Michael Flatley, she never spoke a bad word about Gerald'.
Big Joe talking about Lisa
'Lisa was a credit to humanity,' he added. 'You will never find someone who had a bad thing to say about Lisa, she was just a shining light who loved her friends and family.'
In February of last year, Flatley broke down in tears at the funeral of his former fiancée in Dublin.
The famed dancer wept with uncontrollable grief when Lisa's coffin was carried shoulder high at the end of the service in Ballinteer in south Dublin.
Flatley was accompanied by his wife Niamh, and after the service he gave emotional hugs to several members of Lisa's family near the hearse.
Celebrity lawyer Kean was composed at the service, but he did put his arm around his daughter Kirsten at one stage after she became emotional during a sad hymn near the end.
About 400 mourners, many wearing pink due to Lisa's cancer battle, attended the service.
Among well-known faces at the mass in St John the Evangelist church were Lisa's fellow Dublin Wives star Roz Flanagan, Virgin Media presenter Martin King and his photographer wife Jenny King, boxer Jim Rock and former Dragon's Den star Niall O'Farrell.
The former model, TV star and salon owner was later laid to rest in Mount Venus cemetery, with many mourners attending the family-organised reception at the Goat pub in Goatstown.
Remembering Ms Murphy at her funeral, her brother Noel said she was 'the perfect child' and recalled how she helped her parents care for her late brother Paul, who had special needs.
"In my mum's own words, God love her, she always had to be good,' he said.
"In her 51 years, Lisa lived a life so full of love and energy, that was so vibrant that everyone who came in contact with her instantly fell in love with her.
"Lisa was born to be a mother, but although she wasn't blessed with her own children, she most definitely had six children in her nieces and nephews.
"They absolutely adored her beyond words. Lisa was always on hand to spoil them on every occasion, from beautiful designer baby clothes and gifts, but more importantly her undivided attention, advice, love and famous auntie Lisa hugs.'
Flatley revealed the week before that he was aware of Murphy's illness and had visited her in St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin.
'She was a lovely, caring person. I got the call from her father, Des, early this morning with the news. It's very, very sad. God rest her soul,' he said.
Murphy had worked as a model before becoming a TV personality on various reality programmes.
She had starred in fly-on-the-wall TV series Dublin Wives.
Gerald Kean was another who offered sympathy to the family and friends of his former fiancée.
'It's devastating news,' he said. 'She was a wonderful lady. She was a big part of my life and also in particular of my daughter's.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Shock moment Harry tries to break up Love Island couple telling girl ‘you're The One'
A VILLA hunk tried to break up a Love Island couple telling the girl 'you're The One' in a shocking moment. During Friday night's episode, Harry seemingly made a move on an old flame after smooching Yasmin last night. 4 Harry and Shakira seem to be getting close again Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Harry said Shakira was and still is his 'number one' 4 He also asked to spend more time with her At the start of the series, Harry had his sights set on Shakira before he snuck out of the bedroom and had a steamy night with Helena. Things then ended between Harry and Shakira, though he did tell her he thought they would have "unfinished business". After coupling up with Helena, things seemed to be going well before his head got turned by new girl Yasmin. This week, Harry had some steamy chats with Yasmin, with the pair even sneaking off to the hideaway during the day for a snog. Read More about Love Island But now Harry is keen for his old flame, Shakira, who he seems to have "unfinished business" with - as he previously predicted. In tonight's episode, Harry made a move for Shakira again and even told her she's "The One". Pulling Shakira for a chat, Harry asks how she's feeling. "Initially, you were number one for me," Harry said in a candid way to the stunning brunette. Most read in Love Island He then said that he doesn't think he would do the things he does if they were together, because she "wouldn't stand for it". "It was you," Shakira confessed, "And still is you. But it's your behaviour for me that I can't tolerate." Love Island first look: Are Harry and Shakira back on the cards? Harry then admitted that he wanted to spend some more time with her and rekindle what they had at the start. "If that could possibly be arranged?" he pleaded. Shakira then said: "It could be arranged." Reacting to this interaction, one person said: "Shakira please don't go for Harry! Love Island 2025 full lineup : A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. : A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. : A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. : International business graduate with brains and ambition. : A gym enthusiast with a big heart. : A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. : An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. : A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. : A towering 6'5' personal trainer. : A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. : Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. : The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. : A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell . : Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. : Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Departures : : Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. : A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. : A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. "Shakira and Ben were my favourites. Even Shakiras mum said she doesn't like Harry." A second added: "I've said all along half of Harry's behaviour is because he doesn't want to be with Helena he wants Shakira." While a third penned: "Harry is such a player. I would not trust him a thing he says." The brunette beauty is currently coupled up with Ben, though things between the pair haven't been great of late. Ben has made some comments to Shakira that have proved to be problematic. At the beginning of the series, he chose another girl and said it "humbled" Shakira when he did so. 4 Shakira seemed keen to reignite the spark she and Harry had in the beginning
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Watch the moment Love Island feud explodes as Toni slams horrified rival in sweary rant
IN a teaser clip for tonight's episode, American Islander Toni could be seen exploding into a sweary rant. Things are set to get tense in the Love Island villa as Toni and Emily clash. Advertisement 3 Toni exploded when ranting about Emily Credit: ITV 3 Emily clocked the tension Credit: ITV Toni seemingly accuses Emily of being nosey, with the two women going head to head. "There's a storm brewing between Emily and Toni," the Love Island Instagram page penned alongside the teaser clip. They explained further: "Harry pulls Shakira and says he wants to start spending more time with her, plus Emily catches a scent of tension after Toni calls her nosey." In the clip, Toni can be seen chatting to Meg saying: "I can't listen to her. 'Little Miss Sunshine' all the time." Advertisement Read More about Love Island It then cut to Toni doing her makeup with Emily in the same room. Emily asked Toni how she was and she told her that she was in a "bad mood". Speaking to Meg and some of the other girls, Emily said she wanted to have chat with Toni. BOMBSHELL RIVALS Meg then warned her about what Toni had said earlier. Advertisement Most read in Love Island Exclusive Toni then said "Emily's just f**king nosey," in a clip that didn't show who she was saying it to. Reacting to the clip, one person said: "Emily is sweet but I agree with toni it can be too much sweetness sometimes." Love Island first look: Are Harry and Shakira back on the cards? "Toni has not been wrong yet……TEAM TONE," said another. A third agreed: "Toni is so right about emily bc she joined that mean girl trio of the megans and helena so quickly to pick on yasmin." Advertisement "Emily latched on mean girls just be part of it. Go. Toni," added a fourth. But some other fans disagreed. Love Island 2025 full lineup : A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. : A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. : A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. : International business graduate with brains and ambition. : A gym enthusiast with a big heart. : A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. : An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. : A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. : A towering 6'5' personal trainer. : A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. : Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. : The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. : A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell . : Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. : Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Departures : : Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. : A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. : A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. "Starting to not like Toni," penned one. "Knew Toni was a mean girl," added a second. Advertisement "Pure jealousy from Toni, no bad vibes from Emily, one of the kindest, most genuine girls around," declared a third. TONI'S NIP SLIP This comes after Toni suffered a rather awkward wardrobe blunder. Showing off to her fellow Islanders during Thursday night's episode, the American beauty, 24, did a handstand into a cartwheel as her boob fell out of her bikini. Toni did the flexible act while donning a skimpy bathing suit, which would later have consequences. Advertisement As she did the move, her boob seemingly fell out of her swimsuit. The wardrobe blunder left her co-stars in hysterics, with one of the hunks begging her to cover up quickly. Dejon was shouting: "Tone, the boob is out," repeatedly, as she failed to pay attention. 3 Toni did a handstand into a cartwheel on Thursday night, which resulted in a wardrobe blunder Credit: ITV Advertisement
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ian Bailey's ‘final goodbye' with ashes scattered at Cork pier as family say Sophie murder accusation ‘took toll on him'
THE family of Ian Bailey have scattered his ashes in the sea off west Cork. Bailey — the chief suspect in the 1996 5 Ian Bailey died of a heart attack in January 2024 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 Ian's sister Kay scattered his ashes at Skeaghanore Pier Credit: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision 5 Sophie Toscan du Plantier was murdered in Ireland in 1996 Credit: Copyright remains with handout provider The His grieving sister Kay Reynolds arranged a private funeral for the journalist after he dropped dead on a Bantry street last year. Bailey was cremated and Kay initially brought his ashes back to Kay said: 'He absolutely loved west READ MORE IN IAN BAILEY 'It is very appropriate that this is where we spread his ashes. It is something he wanted.' Opening up about his passing, she recalled: 'He had been quite fit until the last couple of years. 'It finally got to him. He was not taking care of himself, but it was all to do with the pressure. 'It had been relentless for almost 30 years. It took its toll on him. Most read in The Irish Sun 'There were times he did not help himself. I think if he had kept quiet it would have been better, but that was not Ian's style. He had nothing to hide and he would not hide. He confronted his challengers face on. ' Ian Bailey's final post revealed as he thanks fans for the 'most successful year' days before dying aged 66 'I don't think that helped.' 'DOWNFALL' Kay told 96FM producer Paul Byrne, who was one of a few invited guests attending the final ceremony: 'As a family, we never thought that he had done this. 'That was Ian's style of journalism. He thought outside the box. 'I think that was what happened there and became his downfall. She said she Kay insisted: 'From the moment he told us, he phoned us to let us know we would start to see things in the paper about him, we never doubted him — that he had not been involved in this.' Kay also remembered Sophie, who was TIMELINE OF SOPHIE CASE December 23, 1996: Sophie's battered body, still in night clothes, is found outside her holiday home near Schull, west Cork, by a neighbour. February 10, 1997: Ian Bailey is arrested at his home for the murder but is later released. April 17, 1997: Inquest hears Sophie died from multiple injuries, including laceration of the brain and skull fracture, caused by a blunt instrument. January 27, 1998: Ian Bailey is arrested and quizzed for a second time, but is again released without charge. January 2002: A review is ordered into the murder investigation after a highly critical report is written by a solicitor. June 2008: A French magistrate orders the exhumation of Sophie's body for a post-mortem and forensic examination. July 2008: An inquiry into the handling of the murder probe recommends no prosecution. June to October 2009: French authorities travel to West Cork to view the crime scene and meet Irish investigators. Two Garda detectives travel to February 19, 2010: A French judge issues a European Arrest Warrant. April 23, 2010: March 18, 2011: High Court orders Bailey to surrender to European arrest warrant but he appeals to Supreme Court. March 1, 2012: The Supreme Court rules in Bailey's favour in his appeal against extradition. May 31, 2019: Bailey is found guilty of Sophie's murder in his absence in France. He is sentenced to 25 years in June 21, 2019: French authorities issue a third October 12, 2020: High Court rules against Bailey being extradited. Later, State decides not to appeal. It ends attempts to extradite Bailey. She said: 'This is not to forget that a very young mother was brutally murdered. 'I feel so sorry for the family because of the misguided belief that Ian committed the murder. They have just had so many years of torture.' Kay added: 'This is a final goodbye. And it's just doing the right thing by Ian and all of the support that he's had.' 5 The house where Sophie Toscan du Plantier stayed in Cork Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 Kay initially brought his ashes back to Britain Credit: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision
