Sars Kieran Fraggy Murphy is one of the best hurling coaches in Cork

There have been many people all over this country that has shown incredible commitment both on and off GAA pitches, but luckily, on Leeside, we have still have many giving voluntary time for the future of the sport.

Enter Kieran ‘Fraggy’ Murphy of Sarsfields who last year was one of the main coaches that guided his club to the Premier Minor hurling championship title.

After previously being involved for a couple of years with the Cork Minor hurling team Murphy decided to give get involved with some special friends.

“It’s a great level to be involved in and it was nice to get involved with my own club with the management team of Cormac Duggan, Ronan Murphy, Bertie Og Murphy, Daniel Roche and Shane Collins so it was quiet easy to work with these lads,” said Murphy.

As the season matured Sars improved much to the delight of Kieran who praised all concerned.

“We had two teams, but we insisted they would all train together and luckily we had a group who had a great attitude and were keen to learn and work hard,” added Kieran.

The present standard of hurling in Cork is in a good place according to the Sars man.

“I suppose what I would like to see is the schools been more competitive at the latter stages of the Harty Cup but credit to the lads up in the North Mon they are putting in savage work to get the glory days back for college hurling in Cork.

“There is progress as you saw the Cork Minors get to an All-Ireland semi-final last season and if the work continues success should ultimately follow sooner than later.” 

The progression of the Senior hurlers was also praised by Murphy.

“The bottom line is we were the best team in the country up to half time of the All-Ireland against Tipperary just the second half let us down but I am sure they will bounce back.” 

For the Cork Senior champions Sarsfields having no player in the recent 37-man panel named by Ben O’Connor was a shock to the system of many pundits.

“Look as, county champions it is a bit strange, but the bottom line is that Ben O’Connor is the manager that’s entitled to pick whoever he wants and there is no more I can add on that subject.

“As a club we will be supporting Ben and the team this season hoping they can go one better and get the Liam McCarthy back to Cork.” 

The improvement of Cork hurling is down to the structures of the local championships.

“I think when the new format came in three years ago it changed the whole landscape and I think you can see with the attendances going to games that our sport is in a healthy state.

“People in Cork eat and sleep hurling and that’s in all the grades and we are a unique county in the manner we support teams.” 

As a club Sars are unique in the manner they produce players, and the work will continue according to Murphy.

“There has been a lot of great work done down through the years and having a good underage structure is crucial going forward as I remember starting off myself and we had James Barry encouraging us.

“Ironically James is still doing the training at juvenile level and that’s what makes our club so special that we have people who give their lives to the cause.” 

Over the years Murphy has played football with Glanmire and in recent years was doing some coaching there and his thoughts on the present standard of the game in this county was interesting.

“I always loved playing football and in my early years going to Killarney with my father for Munster finals was a great day out.

“For me with the size of our county you would like to think that Cork could be challenging at the later stages of the championship but getting out of Division 2 is a must for John Cleary and his team.

“The higher standard of football you are playing all year round will only help Cork football, but I do believe the present management are putting in a huge effort.” The new rules have certainly lifted the sport.

“Make no mistake football was a hard watch before the rule changes as the northern teams brought in blanket defending but the best game of football last season was probably the club final that Dingle won.

“Getting back to Cork football the Barrs were very unlucky to lose that Munster final to Dingle so I think it proves that Cork football is in a good place.” 

For Kieran Murphy, and his wife Edel with children Kate, Ciara and Thomas, GAA is simply a way of life and his contribution over many years should be commended.