Emotional Murphy ticks all the right boxes with heartfelt speech

Damian Murphy played like a captain and he spoke like a leader of men too even if he did describe himself as “over the hill and overweight” in the midst of his speech from the Hogan Stand.

It was a speech that ticked all the right boxes and, indeed, one that had manager John Fintan Daly almost wiping a tear from his eyes as tribute was paid to the man who only took the reins at the start of the season.

Thing is, Murphy didn’t feel like a captain. Not quite. “We are missing our captain,” he explained. “I am only standing in today but our captain is a great player and he is Ciaran Kelleher. He should be here wearing the green and gold next year if he is fit.