Blake Murphy still harbours burning ambition to deliver for Cork footballers
Cork's Blake Murphy wins the ball from Waterford's Caoimhin Walsh and Michael Curry during the McGrath Cup at Mallow last year. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
The Cork footballers have lost some big-name players in recent months but former U20 All-Ireland winner and St Vincent’s star Blake Murphy made that call early in 2024.
Murphy, son of the famous St Vincent’s stalwart John Paul, began his career with the Saints as a young lad but with numbers short at the northside club he decided a move to Na Piarsaigh in 2017 was needed to help him improve his game at both codes.
“I know a lot of the lads with Na Piarsaigh as I went to school with many of them and to be honest in my two years there, I really enjoyed it as I they are a top club with great facilities."
Murphy certainly showed early signs that he was a talented star at hurling and football and was a dual Cork U17 in 2017, collecting an All-Ireland hurling title against Dublin under John Considine’s management. That side included the likes of Tommy O'Connell, the Roche twins, Daire Connery and Seán Twomey.
“I enjoyed working with John and his management team and we did very well to win the All-Ireland with a great squad."
As the years matured he leaned towards football and under Keith Ricken Cork won the U20 All-Ireland in 2019 defeating a very talented Dublin side in the decider with a squad that included Colm O'Callaghan, Damien Gore, Mark Cronin and Cathail O'Mahony.
“To be honest it was instilled into us that losing wasn’t an option and we produced such momentum when in the final we trailed by nine points before responding to win in style.
Although that great day is now four years ago friendship is very much a priority among a number of the players.
“I have lifelong friends from that group of players such was the bond that still continues after that memorable year.”
He always wanted to play at the top tier of football and although part of the Cork senior panel in 2020, because he was still playing U20 football he was only a fringe player under Ronan McCarthy.
The promotion to the squad the following year under McCarthy but it was difficult because of Covid.
“In my opinion that year was huge to my development, but Ronan put me on the right path when I needed guidance having me on the 26 for a number of league games.”
The following season Keith Ricken and John Cleary were appointed, and Murphy was confident he was ready to take the next step.
“Sadly, for Keith he fell ill halfway through the league but I was after playing a number of games in that campaign and I actually made my championship debut against Dublin that season.
“At that time Dublin were All-Ireland champions and coming on against them in a quarter-final was daunting.”
Cleary took over from Ricken but it just didn’t happen for Murphy under his managership.
“When you look at the team that won the U20 All Ireland with the exception of a few not many have made it to the panel but look I have always been honest in the fact that there is little you can do if a manager doesn’t rate you.”
At the start of the 2024 league campaign, Murphy met with Cleary before the campaign and he openly admitted that he needed to work on other sides of his game.
“After doing what I needed to do in the fitness stakes I felt I was playing well without being recognized and the first game going up to Donegal was a huge disappointment.
“I hung around for a few weeks, but I came to the conclusion that the playing style didn’t suit me as it was fairly defensive and anybody that knows how I play football will know that I want to be on the front foot."
To get some head space Murphy played some football in San Francisco last summer and has returned to basketball at Super League level with UCC Demons.
“I have played in and out with Demons from when I was a young boy but this season I have gone full pelt and thankfully I feel that I can bring something to the table with a great group of players.”
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