Sponsors man of match Odhrán Murphy with his mother Olivia.

Murphy espouses strength of the panel

By Shane Brophy

The Templederry team is littered with well-known names, many of whom have worn the Tipperary jersey with distinction in many grades over the years.

And as tends to happen in finals, it is one of the unheralded players that comes to the fore and on Sunday it was midfielder Odhran Murphy who was named as the John Quirke Jewellers sponsored man of the match in the Seamus O Riain Cup final.

“I was very surprised,” he admitted of receiving the accolade.

“I couldn’t imagine waking up this morning considering I hadn’t been burning it up this year and missed some of it with injury.”

He added: “It’s a nice feeling. As long as I have been involved it has been quarter finals and semi-finals. We got to a North Final a few years ago so it was kind of always the hard luck story.”

Murphy has lauded the competition for places as the reason Templederry found the missing ingredient after falling short in recent years.

“This year we had some panel,” he said.

“We blooded a couple of young lads during the league, the likes of Mikie Ryan and Colm Murray. Brian Stapleton would be one of our best players if he were fit but he came on today and made some difference. He is a smashing hurler. He is a massive presence, both hurling and physically. He is very unlucky with injury.”

When the celebrations finally end, Templederry will take their place in the senior championship next year and if they bring their 2021 form with them, they won’t be just making up the numbers.

“Dan Breen hurling is where it is at and is where you want to be,” Murphy added.