BESIDES manager Jack O’Connor, selector Diarmuid Murphy is the only person in the current Kerry set-up with a direct link to the 2011 All-Ireland final
That was Murphy’s first year in the Kingdom backroom team and he stayed until Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s reign ended in 2017, before returning for the start of O’Connor’s third term as manager in 2021.
The inclusion of Paddy Tally in the management team along with Micheal Quirke raised a lot of eyebrows but Murphy says that the management team is very much a collaborative effort.
“I don’t think anyone is pigeon-holed into a corner and told stay in your lane,’’ he says.
‘‘Everybody has a contribution to make to every aspect of the game because there is a wealth of experience there between every fellow who is involved with various different counties and various different levels down the years.
‘‘It would be foolish not to tap into that wealth of experience. Jack is very good at doing that and everybody has their say and it’s worked ok so far.”
After deciding to retire from the inter-county game as a goalkeeper in 2009, Murphy admits the role of the modern goalkeeper is totally different to what it was for him.
“I think the standard (of goalkeeping) has never been higher to be honest about it,’’ he says.
‘‘I suppose you have good footballers playing inside in the goal as well, whereas back in my time I would certainly say we were not as good footballers as Shane Ryan and lads like him in terms of skills, kicking, contributing to play.
“They are excellent players, when you look at Odhran Lynch in the Derry game, Niall Morgan, Rory Beggan over the past few years; they are really top, top players with very high footballing skill levels.
“I think it is very exciting with some of the kick-outs and I know some of the short kick-outs bring its own set of challenges.
‘‘But some of these goalkeepers are kicking the ball 70 yards now as accurate as they are. I think the skill levels in goalkeeping has gone through the roof compared to what it was back in my time anyway.
Speaking of keepers leads on naturally to the man who will hope to play a big part in Kerry retaining their All-Ireland title this Sunday – Dublin custodian Stephen Cluxton.
So was Murphy surprised by the decision of the 41-year-old to return to the inter-county ranks.
“No, not really. I suppose every individual is different and clearly he must have kept himself in good shape and he must have been playing well with his club as well.
‘‘It was a big move for Dublin to make and I suppose it has worked out for them up to now anyway.”
Kerry’s own goalkeeper Shane Ryan showed his outfield prowess in playing outfield for his club Rathmore in their All-Ireland Club intermediate success earlier this year.
Murphy says his involvement there has had no negative effect on his goalkeeping skills.
“Shane works very hard in training with Brendan Kealy, our goalkeeping coach.
‘‘Shane Murphy (sub goalkeeper) works very hard with Brendan as well during training. But that’s his job really and that’s why Shane (Murphy) is there and I would not expect anything less from him really because of standards we have inside in the squad.”
“Shane is a very good goalie too but we are delighted to see Shane Ryan performing so well for us. He has to from the pressure that’s put on him from the within the squad. Hopefully he will keep going for another game anyway.’’
