Murphy thrilled with call up to International Rules squad
SLIGO forward Niall Murphy has been selected for the International Rules Squad as they travel to Australia next month for the Series.
Irish International Rules manager Joe Kernan revealed his provisional panel to travel to Adelaide and Perth and included on the side is the Coolera/Strandhill player.
Kernan also confirmed that Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea will captain the team with Conor McManus of Monaghan serving as vice-captain.
24-year-old Murphy said he was ‘over the moon’ with being picked. He told the Sligo Champion: “I am absolutely delighted, over the moon. I was told around ten days ago and had to keep it to myself before it was announced.
“I’m heading out on Sunday for two weeks and after the Series I’ll spend a bit travelling as I haven’t been there before. I’ve a couple of friends over there,” he added.
Niall said former Sligo boss Niall Carew told him a few months ago that there was a good chance he’d get into the squad.
“Pádraic Joyce (Kernan’s backroom team) called about two months ago and I’ve been up training the last five weekends in Abbottstown.
“Most of the training is in Abbottstown but on Friday last we trained in Croke Park which was great,” Niall said.
The Coolera/Strandhil player added it’s been good training with all the various players from across Ireland.
“Initially when it started there was about 40 or so lads coming and going and with club commitments a few had to pull out, like Cork’s Paul Kerrigan whose club won the Cork championship so there was a few like that.
“I think there’s 21 named on the squad and one or two more will be added.
Niall said it’s good to see the representatives from Connacht with Aidan O’Shea captaining the side, along with fellow Mayo players Chris Barrett, Pearce Hanley and Brendan Harrison. “Enda Smith (Roscommon) I was in DCU with and lived with him last year so I’m good friends with him and I know Shane Walsh (Galway) too.”
Niall said there’s been a few Sligo players such as Pat Hughes, Ross Donovan and John McPartland who’ve been involved with International Squad trials, but it’s been awhile since a Sligo man played for the side. “I think Eamonn O’Hara was involved in 2001/2 and he was the last one to play.”
He added that he’s really looking forward to the Series. “It’s a great experience and also playing with these standard of players is brilliant too.
“I know a good few of them, the likes of Kevin Feely (Kildare) I would have been in DCU with as well and a good few of them I’d know from playing Interprovincials as well.” In terms of their Australian opponents, Niall said they are expecting a tough challenge.
“From what we’ve been hearing, apparently this is the best Australian team in years. In order to get picked, players have to have an All-Star or be nominated for an All-Star so that says a lot.
“We will be playing top quality players, it’s a good experience and a good test coming up against these professional players,” he pointed out.
Since the Irish squad was named on Wednesday, Niall said his phone was hopping,
He laughed: “I’ve been getting lots of congratulatory messages and the phone hasn’t stopped. It’s nice to hear people saying congrats.”
His own club Coolera/Strandhill, former school Summerhill College and Sligo GAA were also sending their best wishes.
“The people at my club, Summerhill and Sligo have done a lot for me over the years and this is a nice bonus for that,” he added.
Niall studied Business Management in DCU and said he put off travelling plans before trailling with the International Squad. His family back home are thrilled too with his selection and are still debating whether to go to Australia to support him.
“My family are delighted, they were the first to know and are debating at the minute whether to head out.
“Two of the Coolera lads are going and my family are looking into flights. I can’t wait,” he added.
Ireland play the first of two tests at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday November 12th and the second test is scheduled to take place six days later on November 18th at the Domain Stadium, Perth.
Following the loss of Paul Kerrigan and Conor McKenna, to club commitments and injury respectively, the Irish management selected 21 players with two more to be confirmed after more scheduled training sessions.
In all 14 counties are represented in the 21-strong panel with Mayo leading the contingent with four players and Kerry next with three.
Team manager Kernan, whose backroom team includes Darragh O Sé, Pádraic Joyce and Dermot Earley said he hopes the extensive Irish community in Australia will come out and support the side.
The Armagh man said his players have been putting in a lot of hard work in training.
Speaking at the announcement, he added: “I’d like to congratulate all of the players who have made the panel and acknowledge not only their hard work and training but that of all of the players who trialled and trained with us since our preparations commenced.
“Everyone involved is enthused by the prospect of representing Ireland and we are fully aware of the challenge involved in trying to retain the Cormac McAnallen Cup won against Australia at Croke Park two years ago.”
Kernan said they are looking forward to the upcoming Series with their AFL opponents.
“We are looking forward to pitting ourselves against the best the AFL has to offer in the coming weeks.”
GAA President Aogán O’Fearghaíl added: “Well done to all of the players who have been selected to represent Ireland in this year’s series. “I am aware of the preparation and efforts of the panel in recent weeks.
“I hope the large Irish community in Australia comes out and get behind the Irish team over the course of the two games and I am confident we will see two competitive tests exemplifying the best traits of our two games.”
The Ireland 2017 International Rules Squad, captained by Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea is as follows:
Niall Morgan (Edendork, Tyrone)
Chris Barrett (Belmullet, Mayo)
Gary Brennan (Clondegad, Clare)
Eoin Cadogan (Douglas, Cork)
Killian Clarke (Shercock, Cavan)
Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers, Kerry)
Kevin Feely (Athy, Kildare)
Paul Geaney (Dingle, Kerry)
Pearce Hanley (Gold Coast/Ballaghadereen, Mayo) Brendan Harrison (Aghamore, Mayo)
Conor Mc Manus (Clontibret, Monaghan)
Michael Murphy (Glenswilly, Donegal)
Niall Murphy (Coolera/Strandhill, Sligo)
Paul Murphy (Rathmore, Kerry)
Karl O’Connell (Tyholland, Monaghan)
Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy, Mayo)
Niall Sludden (Dromore, Tyrone)
Enda Smith (Boyle, Roscommon)
Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen, Tipperary)
Zach Tuohy (Geelong/Portlaoise, Laois)
Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin/Clonberne, Galway)
Stand By Players
Mattie Donnelly (Trillick, Tyrone)
Niall Grimley (Madden Raparees, Armagh)
Connaire Harrison (Glasdrumman, Down)
Caolan Mooney (Rostrevor, Down)
Sean Murphy (Fenagh, Carlow)
Brendan Murphy (Rathvilly, Carlow)
Sean Powter (Douglas, Cork)