Murphy relishing Rebel life

THE very nature of the Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Stars Awards is that young individuals are being pinpointed as gifted, having achieved at their own levels. As well as that though, there is a major sense that they can go on and realise their potential in years to come.

Cork’s Amanda Murphy is a little different in that she has already reached the pinnacle of her sport. In fact her third senior All-Ireland ladies football title in-a-row came last October.

The 18-year-old Beara attacker scored three points against Mayo and with a third minor medal safely tucked away by the end of 2007 as well, she brought her tally of All-Ireland medals to an incredible 16.

Murphy has long been earmarked for a bright future in ladies football. Despite her magnificent achievements, she retains her enthusiasm for the game.

“You have to have the motivation within yourself. The senior management have been excellent the four years I have been working with them. They keep training interesting, they have variety, which is very important.

“They are very good with the issue of burnout as well. They always account for how much training and matches you’ve played. That’s very important. It’s good to know you can approach a management and say you played a match and feel tired.”

That has been vital for Murphy, as she was eligible for Under-16 and minor when first breaking into the squad and until this year, was still with the minors. They have now been replaced by college duties, with CIT preparing for the Lynch Cup in a few weeks. She is studying business admin too.

Mary Collins has departed as Cork manager but Eamonn Ryan is still around and four-in-a-row is definitely on the agenda.

“When you’re at the top it’s lovely to stay there because you can fall so fast. So you do your best to stay there as long as you can.”

Flawless logic that is paying rich dividends indeed.