Forgotten Manchester United player who is now a priest

• Very few Manchester United fans remember Philip Mulryne, now a Northern Irish Dominican friar and priest of the Catholic Church. 
• At the height of his football career, Philip Mulryne pocketed 600,000 euros per year. 
• After quitting football and getting bored of money, Philip Mulryne ended up becoming a Catholic Church priest. 

Very few Manchester United fans remember Philip Mulryne, now a Northern Irish Dominican friar and priest of the Catholic Church. 

Philip Mulryne was a professional footballer who spent his career days in England playing for clubs such as Manchester United, Norwich City and Cardiff City.

Philip Mulryne (right) in action for Manchester United. Photo/ Sports Brief.

The North Ireland international also represented his nation until 2007, when manager Lawrie Sanchez ejected him from his squad because of a breach of discipline. 

Philip Mulryne retired from professional football after a short training with Cliftonville. After quitting football and getting bored of money, Philip Mulryne ended up becoming a Catholic Church priest. 

The 45-year-old previously spoke of his transition into priesthood in an interview with Norwich’s official website. He said that he started having the feeling of becoming a priest during his last year at Norwich City. 

However, he didn’t think deeply about it until he began feeling dissatisfied with his whole lifestyle. 

“We have a wonderful life as a footballer, and I was very privileged, but I found with all the surrounding stuff that eventually there was a kind of emptiness with it. I was quite shocked – why am I not happy when I have everything that young men want?” The Mirror quotes Philip Mulryne.

Philip began a journey to explore the faith he had as a young man. He went home for one year, and it was during that period that he decided to change his life. 

The former footballer volunteered at a homeless shelter for some time and began praying regularly. Philip explained that he found a real sense of fulfilment and a steady sense of contentment when praying. 

Becoming A Priest 

According to his Wikipedia, Philip was invited to enter the priesthood by Noel Treanor. Noel was at the time Bishop of Down and Connor in Ireland. 

The former footballer originally wanted to be a secular priest, and so he joined Saint Malachy’s Seminary, Belfast. 

He studied philosophy for two years at Queen’s University Belfast before moving to Pontifical Gregorian University, where he studied theology. 

Philip Mulryne felt the call to religious life during his studies, and so he entered the novitiate of the Order of Preachers in 2012. 

He made his profession to become a Dominican friar on September 11, 2016, at St. Saviour’s Priory, Dublin. Three months later, Diarmuid Martin ordained Philip Mulryne to become a deacon. 

Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia ordained Philip Mulryne a priest on July 8, 2017, at St Saviour’s Priory, Dublin. Two days later, he presided at his first Mass.

Philip Mulryne. Photo/ The Times.

Philip Mulryne currently oversees a congregation at St. Mary’s Priory Church in Cork, where he goes by the title Reverend Father Philip Mulryne. 

Football Career

At the height of his football career, Philip Mulryne pocketed 600,000 euros per year. Philip, who played as a central midfielder, began his career at Manchester United’s academy in 1992. 

He was promoted to the senior team in 1996, where he only made one league appearance until his departure in 1999.

Mulryne, who could also play as a right winger or striker, struggled for game time at Old Trafford because those positions were occupied by players such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. 

The Ireland international ended up joining Norwich City on March 25, 1999, and scored a beautiful free-kick on his second appearance. 

Philip Mulryne was in Norwich City’s team that reached the Division One play-off in the 2001-02 season. He missed one of his team’s penalties in the shootouts as his side lost 4-2 to Birmingham City.

Philip Mulryne. Photo/ The Tilehurst End.

Mulryne was part of the Norwich team that received a promotion to the Premier League after emerging as Division One champions. 

He joined Cardiff City in 2005 after terminating his contract with Norwich City by mutual consent. 

The central midfielder was often used as a substitute until his departure from the club in 2007. Philip had stints with Leyton Orient, AFC Bournemouth and King’s Lynn before ending his football career.