Murphy not bitter at demotion

IT wasn’t how he’d like it to have happened – we all like to leave on our terms, regardless of situation – but the confirmation he hasn’t made the nominated top 10 hurling referees for the championship has nevertheless been greeted with his usual good grace by Dickie Murphy.

Long recognised as one of the top whistlers in the game, and certainly the most experienced of those currently operating, the popular Wexford man was renowned for a style that leaned far more towards facilitator than autocrat. The call to omit him from this year’s top 10 comes as a surprise, but, Murphy wasn’t in a mood to criticise the Croke Park decision makers last night.

Murphy said: “I didn’t make it and I’m disappointed; I won’t pretend otherwise. But look, life goes on. I took my first senior championship match in Leinster in 1989 at 21 years ago, so, it’s been a long time at this level.