Na Fianna band of brothers helped AJ Murphy through toughest days

AJ Murphy of Na Fianna celebrates at the end of the All-Ireland club final. Pic: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Bittersweet. The full swirl of emotions. Not all of them sunny. AJ Murphy, even while surfing the happiest day of his hurling career, was never going to forget his absent sister. That it was the happiest day of his hurling career made her absence all the more pronounced.

Rachel, AJ’s younger sister, passed away in May of 2023 after a short, unexpected illness. She had just turned 21.

On the afternoon Na Fianna reached the highest peak in club hurling, Murphy paid tribute to his fellow climbers for their constant presence and support, particularly on the much lower days.

“I lost my sister a year and a half ago, so this group of lads have been so good to me, like a band of brothers truly, they have your back. It's going to be a great night and a great few days, but it's going to be very emotional,” said Murphy.

“We've had my sister and one or two parents and other family members over the last few years that have passed away, unfortunately, but lads just stick together. We're all so close and we look out for each other. It makes coming to training a lot more enjoyable that they have your back. It's a special group of lads.” 

One could easily make the argument that Murphy, on the field, has had his teammates’ back more than anyone else throughout this road to All-Ireland glory. 1-4 in the Leinster quarter-final against Clough-Ballacolla. 1-2 in the Leinster final victory over Kilcormac-Killoughey. The winning injury-time point against Loughrea. Five points from play in the decider. AJ always showed up.

“The lads are so good at hitting the ball in at the right time, but today, my full-forward partner Tom Brennan, he's just so good at clearing that space and sure if there's an ocean of space in front of you, you got to capitalise. Luckily enough, I did today.

“It's special. Going to Croke Park every Patrick's Day growing up, I remember seeing Newtownshandrum win it for the first time. So, it's special to actually do it ourselves. Dream come true.” 

An unlikely dream given Na Fianna had never won a Dublin hurling title before 2023. Not so, says Murphy. Maiden county champions to All-Ireland winners 15 months later is a leap the inside forward knew possible.

“I genuinely believed this was coming. I remember 2021, losing that Crokes county final, and I felt we were so good that year. And then just getting over the line two years ago, and last year in the club, and then just carried our form through to this year. Absolutely over the moon.” 

Those 2021 and 2022 county final reverses to Kilmacud were, first and foremost, deeply devastating. Then they became deeply educational. They lost and they learned.

“We probably weren't cynical enough at those important times. We did hours of feedback analysis after those two years, and we've kind of learned from them mistakes.

“I don't think we've really let slip a game [since]. We were beaten by O'Loughlin's last year in the Leinster final, just better team on the day. But apart from that, I don't think we've let a lead slip since 2022.” 

There have been other factors. Tom Brennan’s decision to rejoin the hurlers after the club’s footballing interests came to an end last October. Brian Ryan’s decision to transfer up from South Liberties ahead of the 2023 season. The All-Ireland winning Limerick panelist from 2020 brought many welcome qualities to the Na Fianna silverware search.

“Brian has been super. A few of the boys know him through DCU and the Fitzgibbon, but he's been a breath of fresh air, his experience and his leadership as well. I'm sure he'll have something to say when it comes to Dublin now this year.”