The Courier's former long-serving sports editor Jim Murphy passed away yesterday after a lengthy battle with illness.Mr Murphy passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Centre's Geoffrey Cutter Hostel, aged 74.Mr Murphy began his 35-year career in journalism as a part-time "stringer" in 1963 covering local football matches.When The Courier's sports editor resigned due to ill-health in 1969, Mr Murphy applied for the job which he held until his retirement in February, 1999.He was also well-known for his regular column, Murphy's Lore, which he wrote until December, 2001.Mr Murphy was a former justice of the peace and was heavily involved in local sporting groups, including the Sportsman's Hall of Fame committee and the Ballarat Sportsman's Association.The Courier's general manager Bruce Morgan described Mr Murphy as a local legend around Ballarat sporting circles."He was always a warrior for the cause at the newspaper and wore his old-fashioned approach to the nature of sport as a badge of honour," Mr Morgan said."To Jim, it was about mates and team-work and honours and recognition."Mr Murphy is survived by his children Marita, Margaret, Jane, Pauline, Susan, John, David and Gerard.A tribute to Mr Murphy will be published in The Courier next week.