No-nonsense Murphy wary of Dubs threat

BRIAN MURPHY is mulling over the prospect of Dublin in the qualifiers. Direct as ever, the Cork corner-back side-steps the platitudes and lays it on the line.

“Last year in the qualifiers Dublin put it up to us, no doubt about that. Now, maybe the occasion got to them a little towards the end, but I’d expect them to be better this year.

“Remember, they gave us enough of it in the league earlier in the year as well - we were nine points down at one stage against them in Parnell Park. Tom Kenny went through for the vital score, we ended up getting a goal from that attack and if we hadn’t managed it we’d have been in big trouble.

“Not only would we have lost a game, we’d probably have been facing relegation. That’s how tight it was.”

Well, that makes the next question, about complacency, a hard sell. The general feeling among Cork supporters is that the tougher game will come a week afterwards, a suggestion that raises Murphy’s eyebrow.

“People might be looking ahead to the weekend after that, but we’re not. The funny thing is, though, that if people start saying ‘we’ll take it one step at a time’, that would nearly put it into your head to look beyond the next game!

“But we know that Dublin are good. They came very close to beating Wexford, and over the years we’ve found it very hard to beat Wexford, so going on that alone we know how hard it’s going to be.

“They’ve got good players like David O’Callaghan and Ross O’Carroll up front, they’re generally a very strong, physical team - probably the strongest team we’ve played against this year. The fact that they’re beginning to show the benefits of all the work done at underage makes them an example to other counties. It’ll be a battle.”

Murphy is equally forthright about the advantages and disadvantages of playing at home in the championship.

“Playing at home is nearly a disadvantage, to be honest. If you’re away with the lads at least everyone’s together for the couple of hours before the game - when you’re playing in Cork you’re hanging around at home and you’re trying to kill time until the game starts. . . .

“Then you’re used to games at three o’clock, so we’ll have to wait the extra few hours today because it’s a five o’clock throw-in.

“At the same time you can’t complain - the fact that you’re at home means that it’s that bit easier for people to come and watch the team, for instance.”

Cork didn’t lack support in their Munster SHC defeat to Tipperary. Past experience doesn’t make those losses any easier to take.

“It’s nearly takes longer to get over, because you know what’s coming when you lose - you know you’ve got to expect abuse and so on. We were lucky enough in that most of us had club games the following weekend so we were able to concentrate on that.”

Games may come thick and fast, but opponents like Eoin Kelly of Tipperary are a lot rarer.

“He’s a super player,” says Murphy. “You’re bracing yourself before playing against him because you know you’re not going to get anything easy - and afterwards you’d certainly know you’ve been in a game. He’s probably one of the best of all time. You know you’re going to be up against it with Eoin.

“Tipp might have got a break or two the last time, but they could probably say that we got those breaks in recent years. And as they say, the more you practice, the luckier you get anyway.”

Murphy isn’t that surprised by Clare’s progress to the Munster final.

“They have some huge players on their team and they’re able to get goals, which is not something every team can do. They’ll put it up to Tipp big-time tomorrow, and they’ll have another say in the championship later.

“In fairness, Tipp are the form team and they have a bit of hunger - maybe something we were lacking the last day - and they seem to have a very professional set-up. They’re favourites, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see Clare win. They seem to have the knack of winning games at the moment.”

It’s not all hurling at the moment - Murphy is keen to publicise a fundraiser for the Crumlin Children’s Hospital in the Rathcormac Inn on Saturday July 26.

“It’d be great if people could support it,” he says. “It’s a great cause and the entire community in Bartlemy and Rathcormac are behind it.”

Direct at the end. Direct at the start.