Murphy’s heroics set to inspire a generation in Rathmore

"First and foremost, a very proudfather and second, a very proud club chairman," beams Donal Murphy.

The Rathmore chairman departed Dublin’s Clyde Court Hotel at 8am yesterday, celebrations parked momentarily for there lay the small matter of a homecoming to be organised.

Murphy predicted a “dangerously large crowd” in the West Kerry village last night, the first stop for Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s All-Ireland winning charges on their tour of the Kingdom.

For the GAA enthusiasts of Rathmore, there was much more thansimply title No. 37 to celebrate.

Club stalwart Aidan O’Mahonycollected a fifth Celtic Cross onSunday, a superb shift put in by the 34-year-old in limiting Donegal’smarquee forward Michael Murphy to one point from play. AssistingO’Mahony in a remarkable defensive effort was clubmate Paul Murphy, Donal’s son, and RTÉ’s man of the match recipient.

Factor in the display of minorcustodian Shane Ryan and you canappreciate his giddiness and that of an entire parish.

“It is incredible to think we now have four players who received man of the match on All-Ireland final day — Ger Crowley in 1969, Aidan O’Mahony in 2006, Tom O’Sullivan in 2009 now Paul,” says Murphy senior.

“All the more remarkable is that they are all defenders. It is normally the fella who gets the defining score who picks up the man of the match accolade.

“ If you want to talk about an inspiring club man you need look no further than Aidan O’Mahony. He waswritten off in the county when he was taken off above in Castlebar during the league. You were sort of saying to yourself would he stick it out. By God he did. What a finish.

“Any of our lads that made the county minor or U21 panel over the last ten years, while Aidan was a senior, he would be texting them and ringing them before games, offering advice and encouragement. He is a fantastic club man. They are all club men first and foremost. We are lucky Rathmore youngsters have never had to lookoutside the club for their idol.”

As to the contribution of his own son: “His performances all summer came down to the fact that he got his chance in 2014 and he was going to do whatever he had to do. We have seen a lot of great minors who when dropped for the first time at U21 or senior, it affects them. Paul’s set-backs wereearly. He didn’t make the South Kerry U16 team. He didn’t make the Kerry minor team. He wasn’t picked for the senior panel in 2013. Some youngfellas in Rathmore who, when they didn’t make these squads, threw in the towel. Paul stuck at it. He alwaysbelieved.

“Brian Kelly and himself are theonly two that played every minute of championship this summer for Kerry. That speaks volumes of the year he has had. Eamonn Fitzmaurice trusts him.”

So, how does the trio’s achievements benefit the club?

“Like all rural clubs we are struggling for numbers. The achievement of our three men will inspire young Rathmore footballers. Every fella will have a pep in their step at all age-groups going up to training in Rathbeg. That is what it is all about.”