Murphy is thrilled his young charges proved their point

STEPHEN GLENNON

WHATEVER about Mattie Murphy walking on water, he must certainly be floating on air this week after securing his sixth – Galway’s ninth – All-Ireland minor hurling title.

A blind man could see what last Sunday’s All-Ireland victory over Dublin meant to the Galway manager. The delight was palpable – infectious even. His excitement no less than when he won that first national minor title many moons ago.

No doubt, you have to admire the Turloughmore native. For almost two decades now, he has continually moulded teams that have been as impressive in their attitude and endeavours as they have been inspiring. The class of 2011 proved to be a prime example.

“You would be hoping that they all bring something different to the table and each panel you work with has a different dynamic as a group,” beams Murphy. “In this particular group, a lot of them were very disappointed last year after the [semi-final] defeat to Kilkenny. “We had 13 players from that who carried over to this year and they knew that they hadn’t done themselves justice. They had a point to prove that they are as good as any team that are in the country.

“So, it was easy to work with them. They bought in to what we were at. You saw it there yourself. They showed ferocious commitment. They threw their bodies on the line and they got in tackles, hooks and blocks. Anything they were asked to do, they did. We have a few hurlers then, who are able to pick off the scores when ball breaks down.”

To this end, Murphy praises a number of players individually, including Player of the Match Padraig Breheny, team captain Shane Moloney, among others. “Everyone in Galway knows what Breheny is like. He was probably the single most effective player in the Galway senior championship last year. And he was only 17.

“He is off to DCU now to do physiotherapy, so as well as being a good hurler, he is a smart cookie as well. We would hope, though, he can come back and lead a revival of Galway hurling at senior level in years to come.”

High praise, indeed, for the Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry teenager, one of three on the Galway starting XV. Murphy believes the other two – captain Shane Moloney and full-back Paul Killeen – also had the potential to have big futures with the county . . . as do a number of others, including effective defender Padraig Mannion, who limited Dublin top scorer Cormac Costello to just one point over the hour last Sunday.

“Padraig had a very good game against Clare [in the semi-final] out on the wing. I suppose, if a fellow gets 4-2 in a game [as Costello did against Waterford], you are going to put your best man marker on him. As the game went on, he probably broke Cormac’s spirit. Cormac had a football match, though, here last week and it didn’t go particularly well for him either. He is still underage next year and he is a very special talent at both codes.”

Indeed, both Costello and Dublin came into the game with big reputations, but, over 60 minutes of hurling, Galway dismantled those with succinct precision. “Sure, you know, after the Clare match we were 1/3 in the betting, so what are reputations at minor level?” says Murphy.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.