Man-of-match Murphy never considered quitting

LARRY MURPHY knew he still had something to offer the hurlers of Wexford. On Saturday night in Nowlan Park, after his man of the match heroics against Waterford, the hurling world shared that belief.

Rooted firmly on the substitutes bench from the very start of this year’s championship campaign and seemingly well out of selectorial favour, Murphy considered retirement. But only briefly.

“I’m not a quitter by nature and I was determined to fight for and win back my place in the team,” he said. “Hanging up my boots would have been a mistake because I know I still have something to offer to this team.”

Saturday evening was a complete vindication of that attitude, as Murphy’s introduction completely changed the face of the All-Ireland qualifier at Nowlan Park, breaking Waterford’s momentum and steering John Conran’s side to the championship quarter final.

“When I eventually retire it will be for the right reasons, and not because I am perceived to have some kind of chip on my shoulder. I never wanted to bow out sitting on the subs bench,” he said.

One of only seven survivors from the 1996 All-Ireland winning team, Murphy, when introduced at the end of the first half, caused Waterford full back Tom Feeney countless problems.

Acting as a lone target man, Murphy was fearless in winning possession from the high deliveries towards the goal area, and intelligent in his distribution.

“I got the hop of the ball this time and everything worked out for me,” he admitted. “Until now I haven’t had a look in this year and I seemed to be dead and buried. I honestly didn’t think this day would ever come for me.”

Murphy is confident there’s another year (or two) of championship hurling left in him.

“Looking at Larry O’Gorman also flying around the place for so much of this game there’s life in the old dog yet,” he said.

But for now the onus is on the championship quarter-final, and wherever that road may lead.

“After our eclipse by Kilkenny there weren’t too many people prepared to back us to beat Waterford. That great win has been consigned to the pages of history however and there is no point in trying to live on memories,” Murphy said.