Kevin Murray flying dual flag with Cork footballers and St Finbarr’s hurlers

Given the modern pressure on committing to both codes, Kevin Murray, an All-Ireland winning hurler in 1999, is unique as he continues to give his experience to both football and hurling.

Murray is currently involved as a coach with the Cork senior footballers and the St Finbarr’s hurlers. But then he was always interested in both.

It started with Cloughduv, where he played the majority of his hurling before moving to St Finbarr’s, while his entire football career was spent donning the colours of Dunmanway side Doheny’s.

“I was going to Farranferris and living near Dunmanway. My brother Paudie was two years older than me and we were giving two lads a lift and one of them was Finbarr Daly, who was a Cork minor hurler, but had no club to play with it in that code.

“Cloughduv rang our house and asked my dad had he a few lads that would be interested in playing. He duly replied that he had 11 children, five of them boys, so that’s where the connection started.”

Kevin Murray of Cork celebrates a late point against Waterford in 1999. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Murray played with Cloughduv up to the age of 29 before transferring to the Barrs, making a huge impact in his short-term with the Togher outfit.

PASSIONATE

On the football side, Murray was part of a Doheny’s side that started with a junior championship success in 1991 before winning an intermediate championship that made the way for them to be promoted to the senior ranks.

“I really enjoyed playing football with Doheny’s as they are so passionate about their football and they are now back competing in Senior A with my uncle Kevin Collins heavily involved down there.”

His coaching began at UCC in 2009 with the legendary Billy Morgan and he spent 10 years working with the Nemo Rangers man.

“What can I say about Billy, only that he is some man and probably the best experience working with him I have gotten in GAA. I was very fortunate and honoured to have worked with him.

“Billy was simply a brilliant mentor who would give you lots of confidence and trust and I will never forget those 10 wonderful years.”

Over the last 20 years, Murray has been coaching at the Barrs from Street Leagues to juvenile and minor teams.

“Look, when you have kids of your own, you buy into the community aspect and that’s the one good thing about the Barrs, they cater well for young people.

“Amazingly, some of the guys I am coaching at senior level I had them as five- and six-year-olds when they were climbing trees, so it’s great to see them turn out fine men with great attitudes.”

On the camogie side, Murray got involved with Cork in 2015 before coming lead coach, and he enjoyed a successful spell with his brother Paudie as manager.

Kevin Murray in the Department of Sport, Leisure & Childhood Studies, teaching and learning facility at MTU. Picture: Larry Cummins

This season he’s with John Cleary as part of the Cork football management, which wasn’t on his radar.

“It came out of the blue really. Last summer I had a phone call with John Cleary as he felt I could add something to the squad and so far I am enjoying it very much with an exceptional group of committed players.”

Cork have been promoted from Division 2 of the league. Their recent Munster final defeat was a huge disappointment but the win over Meath puts them one win away from reaching a quarter-final. Looking back on the Kerry clash, Murray believes lessons will be learned.

Murray is busy, given his commitment to the Barrs hurlers who are managed by Paudie.

We have done well in the league with four wins, as at one stage between hurling and football we were down 12 players, but many of the other lads have done exceptionally well.

“I think the secret to success at the top tier is getting a couple of players coming through an annual basis and you can see in recent years what Brian Hayes, Ethan Twomey, Ben Cunningham, Ciaran Doolan, and William Buckley have brought to the table.”

This season, the Barrs have acquired the service of Sean Daly from Randal Óg and Murray believes he is a serious addition to the squad.

“There is little doubt Seanie is a great addition both on and off the pitch as his determination is off the charts but to me his contribution off the pitch is something that’s a great addition to our team.”