The camp, held in the University of Limerick, was the first squad camp of the London 2012 cycle and saw Irish athletes, coaches and staff rise in a standing ovation to honour Murphy, the last surviving member from the first Irish Paralympic team that travelled to Rome in 1960.

This special event included contributions from PCI chief executive Liam Harbison, Board member Mairead Farquharson and a reflection of the developments in Paralympic sport from former secretary general Anne Ebbs. 

Ireland's four other pioneering Paralympic athletes,  Father Leo Close, Jack Kerrigan, Joan Horan and Jimmy Levins, were also fondly remembered. 
 
The Irish team took its place alongside 22 other nations at the first ever Games where they finished 12th on the medals table with two gold medals secured by Horan in different sports. 

She claimed victory in the St. Nicholas round archery event open and in the 25 metres crawl complete class in the swimming pool.

Ireland has since competed in every Paralympic Summer Games, winning a total of 178 medals, including 47 gold.

At the last Games in Beijing in 2008 they won five medals, including three gold, two of which were won by sprinter Jason Smyth in the T13 100 and 200m and the other by Michael McKillop (pictured) in the T37 800m.

Murphy shared his experiences from competing in the first Paralympic Games, expressing his admiration for the dedication, preparation and drive of each athlete as they strive to achieve their ambitions.

Murphy who first competed in archery, shot put and subsequently as a weightlifter, went on to compete at a further three Paralympic Games before retiring from active competition in 1972.

Following his return to Ireland after the 1960 Games, he along with other team members founded the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA).

As active campaigners for the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland,  they blazed a trail to change attitudes towards disability, leading to many of the equalities people with disabilities experience today. 

The IWA has since flourished and now provides services to 20,000 members.
 
Harbison said "As the Paralympic Games have reached the major milestone of the 50th Anniversary in 2010, it is fitting that we marked the event at the first Renault Ireland Team 2012 Camp with over 100 athletes and staff in attendance. 

"The standing ovation in response to Oliver Murphy's address by all in attendance clearly indicates the level of gratitude that today's London 2012 Paralympic hopefuls have for the pioneers that preceded them. 

"We in the PCI are delighted that Oliver Murphy was able to attend and help us to record such an important piece of our Paralympic history."