We need to improve — and I expect we will

Unfortunately for Killian Murphy, injury has ruled him out of tomorrow’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1 quarter-final with Tipperary in Semple Stadium (throw-in 3.45pm).

The corner-back’s form has been consistently good during the county’s successful Division 1B campaign, starting four of the five games.

Cork’s overall displays haven’t drawn widespread plaudits, but nevertheless the primary mission of promotion was achieved and a last-eight tie against 1A opposition helps preparations for the championship opener against Waterford.

Murphy believes there is enough time for the performances to improve.

“At the start of the league, we had our goals set out,” he said, “we obviously wanted to win the league and get promotion, but we haven’t really performed overly well so far.

“We never really did very well, but it’s not like we were playing bad teams. I know Division 1B is a lower division but you’re still going to get good games out of it.

“Antrim away, for example, the conditions were very tough so coming out of it with the points was the main thing.

“There was a lot of emphasis on the performances but these are things you can work on, it’s not all doom and gloom.”

With just the six league starts under his belt, and his championship debut arriving in the dying minutes of last year’s All-Ireland final replay — “I hadn’t much time to think about it but it was amazing to play in front of more than 80,000 people” — the casual observer might think Murphy is younger than his 24 years.

While he played minor and U21 for the county, his final year at U21 level in 2010 was hampered by injury and he spent the following summer in Boston. Like Cork colleagues Séamus Harnedy and Stephen Moylan, he availed of the Fitzgibbon Cup’s finishing-school qualities to help advance his claims.

“Séamie’s a great example. He’s from St Ita’s and heprobably wouldn’t have had that many games at that time of year to be expressing himself. When he came on to the Fitzgibbon squad, he showed straightaway and was given his chance, so it’s definitely a springboard.

“He was involved at inter-county level but never really got a break so the Fitz definitely benefited him and it was the same with me. It’s a great tournament to be involved in.”

To that end, circumstances at the outset of the year dictated the number 4 jersey was up for grabs.

“With Conor O’Sullivan out, there was a spot there and with Brian Murphy after retiring now, I saw it as an opportunity alright to get the foot in the door,” the Erin’s Own man said.

“Obviously, I was hoping to get one or two league games but I’m delighted now to have got four out of five. Last year, I only played twice in the league so every game is going to count now, you get more experience from playing those kinds of games.”

The adaptation period is continuous, but Murphy cites having Brian Corcoran as a club-mate as being of benefit.

“I only played a year or two with Brian, and I was at the other end of the field then, I was corner-forward. I still learned a lot though from how he handled himself in various roles, he’s a great example.”