Diarmuid Murphy on keepers turning into distributors

Goalkeeping was a different game when Diarmuid Murphy was between the sticks. They called it a “kick-out” back then, none of this “restart” business.

Murphy hung up his gloves following the 2009 season and nods in agreement when it is put to him that the goalkeeper’s role has evolved dramatically in the interim seven years. So much so that when the Bryan Sheehan rumour first raised its head a fortnight ago, instead of being instantly laughed off, the merits of having the 31-year-old take the Kerry kick-outs, sorry, restarts, were first chewed over.

The role of the goalkeeper, according to the three-time All Star custodian, is no longer concerned with shot-stopping and command of the small parallelogram. Distribution, that’s the name of the game these days.