Murphy saves the best ’til last

DIARMUID MURPHY’S timely interventions in helping secure a 36th All-Ireland title for Kerry weren’t just critical – they were his last as the Kingdom’s No 1.

The four-time All-Ireland winner last night confirmed he is retiring from inter-county football at 34, leaving Jack O’Connor with a giant-sized hole to full between the sticks this year.

And he revealed that a problematic back strain he’s been managing for the last couple of seasons is part of the reason he’s calling it quits.