By Charles Igwe
Former Northern Ireland midfielder, Philip Mulryne, who once donned the Manchester United jersey, has left his football career behind to pursue a calling as a Catholic priest. Ordained as a deacon in 2017, Mulryne’s journey into priesthood began at the age of 31, triggered by a growing dissatisfaction with a glamorous lifestyle.
After making a single Premier League appearance for Manchester United, Mulryne moved to Norwich in 1999 and later played for Cardiff City. Despite being a fan favorite at Carrow Road, his career took a downturn, leading to retirements from Leyton Orient and King’s Lynn Town in 2008.
Choosing a different path from many former players who venture into coaching or punditry, Mulryne embarked on a spiritual journey. Explaining his transition, he mentioned feeling a sense of emptiness in the highs and lows of football and found fulfillment in exploring his faith.
Now known as Rev. Fr Philip Mulryne, the 46-year-old oversees a congregation at St. Mary’s Priory Church in Cork. Despite once facing controversy during his football career, including being sent home from a Northern Ireland squad in 2005, Mulryne expresses no regrets about his decision to become a priest.
His friend, Paul McVeigh, was surprised by Mulryne’s decision but acknowledged the positive impact he was making through charitable work, helping the homeless regularly. In 2016, Mulryne faced financial challenges, being declared insolvent at Belfast’s High Court, linked to investments in film industry-related funds.
Despite the hurdles, Mulryne remains dedicated to his role as a Catholic priest, finding a sense of contentment in his spiritual calling after leaving behind the world of football over eight years ago.
