From Footballer to Friar: The Remarkable Journey of Fr. Philip Mulryne

Fr. Philip Mulryne, OP, is a former professional footballer turned Dominican priest. Born on January 1, 1978, in Belfast, Ireland, Fr. Mulryne’s journey from the football pitch to the altar is as unique as it is inspiring. 

Mulryne began his football career as a youth player at Manchester United in 1994. During his time there, he was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning team of 1995. Despite his early promise, Mulryne struggled for first-team opportunities at United due to fierce competition from stars like David Beckham and Paul Scholes. His only league appearance for Manchester United came in the 1997–98 season against Barnsley.

In search of more playing time, Mulryne moved to Norwich City in 1999 for £500,000. His career at Norwich began with a bang, scoring a brilliant free-kick in his second match. However, a broken leg early in the following season sidelined him for most of the 1999–2000 campaign. 

In the 2001–02 season, Mulryne was a member of the Norwich team that reached the final of the Division One play-offs in 2002. Mulryne’s time at Norwich also included a promotion of the club to the Premier League in 2004. However, they were relegated after just one season. Mulryne later joined Cardiff City. In 2005, disciplinary issues led to his removal from Northern Ireland’s football squad. Mulryne had made 27 appearances for the team. A highlight of his career with Northern Ireland was a headed equalizer against Denmark in 2001.

At the end of the 2005–06 season, Mulryne's contract with Cardiff City was terminated after he made only a few substitute appearances for the club. In January 2007, following trial periods with various clubs, he signed with Leyton Orient on a free transfer after impressing during a trial. He made his debut for the club on 13 February 2007 in a home game against Brighton & Hove Albion. After the 2006–07 season, he was released from the club, despite helping Orient avoid relegation. Mulryne's football career continued with brief stints at AFC Bournemouth, St Mirren, King's Lynn FC, and Cliftonville before he retired from the game in 2008.

In 2009, at the age of 31, Mulryne began studying for the Roman Catholic priesthood. This decision of his was influenced by an invitation from Bishop Noël Treanor of the Down and Connor diocese. Mulryne initially entered Saint Malachy’s Seminary in Belfast and later studied philosophy at Queen’s University Belfast and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. While studying, Mulryne felt a deeper calling to religious life and entered the Dominican Order in 2012. After completing his novitiate at St. Mary's Priory in Cork, he made his profession as a Dominican friar in 2016.

Mulryne was ordained a deacon in October 2016 by Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, the then Archbishop of Dublin. On 8 July 2017, he was ordained a priest by Most Rev. Joseph Augustine Di Noia, Titular Archbishop of Oregon City, at St. Saviour's Priory, Dublin. He celebrated his first Mass as a priest on 10 July 2017 at St. Oliver Plunkett Church in Belfast. In 2019, he was posted to St. Mary's Priory Church in Cork as a novice master, where he guides new Dominican friars on their spiritual journeys.

Mulryne’s transition from footballer to priest is a testament to the power of faith, transformation, and listening to one’s calling. His story serves as an inspiration, showing that no matter where life takes us, the path to purpose is often full of unexpected turns but always rich in meaning.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

Source: Wikipedia