ADAM FINE PROSPECT SAYS BOSS CLANCY

Saints chief Tim raves over ‘best ever’ Murphy

ADAM MURPHY is tipped for stardom after St Pat’s boss Tim Clancy claimed he was the best young player he has ever seen.

The 18-year-old midfielder has recovered from his injury nightmare and made his first start of the season in Friday’s thrilling 3-2 derby win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Murphy, who had come off the bench in the resurgent Saints’ previous four games, was trusted with anchoring midfield.

And Clancy (right) feels he will only go from strength to strength, even if it means the club will struggle to keep hold of him in the long-term.

Brighton scouts were at Dalymount last night and while it is unclear who they were looking at specifically, Murphy is bound to start attracting attention.

Clancy said: “Only for injuries, I think a lot more people in the country would know who Adam Murphy is as he’s an absolutely outstanding talent.

“From anywhere I’ve played or managed, he’s the best young kid I’ve ever seen. I rate him that highly, he’s exceptional, a really good player. That was his first start since he got a bad injury against Dundalk last year on his 17th birthday. He turned 18 there last week. It was an exceptional performance by him. He should have fouled James Clarke for the second goal but we’ll let him away with that one, that will come with experience.

“But Adam is going to be a really big player and have a massive career.”

Irish youth international Murphy had surgery last year to cure a serious hamstring injury and Clancy added: “That was the bad one. He had the surgical procedure to strengthen him up and we want him to get a good run of games, keep fit and he’ll be a pleasure to watch.”