STILL a whopping 10 weeks out from their opening round clash (at Semple Stadium, Thurles) in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, Limerick and Tipperary served-up a brilliant early season taster in Sunday’s National League encounter at the Gaelic Grounds.
It was a tussle in which Barry Murphy of first-time county champions Doon delivered a five-star display at both left-full and centre-back (following the enforced withdrawal of Kyle Hayes) for the 0-30 to 1-23 winners.
Murphy was a deserving recipient of the Man of the Match award, presented by his captain Cian Lynch.
In a post-match interview with TG4, Lynch said that “Barry epitomises what this team is all about; whatever you are asked to do, you put your hand up you and do it; whatever Barry has been asked to do over the years he just works hard, puts the head down whether it’s on the field or off the field.”
“He’s just a team player, and that’s what hurling and team sport is all about, having guys like Barry that just to wear that jersey with pride and do whatever they can for the team. And, we saw here today his animalistic approach, and it just pays dividends. It’s a credit to play alongside him.”
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Six-footer Murphy, who will turn 28 at the end of the month, was just one of a host of fringe performers who left a calling card with manager John Kiely,and left a positive impression on the home following in an attendance of around 11,200.
Others were goalkeeper Shane Dowling, Fergal O’Connor, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Paddy O’Donovan, and Ethan Hurley.
“We are trying to develop more depth in the group and there are a lot of lads that have contributed to a greater sense of depth within the group after the last two games,” Kiely said.
“Part of their development is building confidence and building a set of reference for them to say ‘I’ve done it’ and they are the confidence-building blocks that are needed.”
The likes of regulars Dan Morrissey, Diarmaid Byrynes (0-7), Cian Lynch, David Reidy, and Aaron Gillane were all in top form.
