Paudie Murray on his playing days with Cloughduv, managing the Barrs and falling camogie standards

It will be an interesting season for the former Cork camogie manager Paudie Murray, as he bids to lead St Finbarr’s to the hurling glory that they last tasted in 2022 under Ger Cunningham.

Murray was born in Dunmanway and learned his hurling at Farranferris before joining his boyhood club Cloughduv.

“I started hurling at the age of 15 in 1985 and played with them up to 2002 and I can honestly say it was an enjoyable era in my life,” said Murray.

The underage structures at Cloughduv was strong back in the day.

“I came through with very strong teams at underage level as we won Mid Cork titles back in the day. 

Looking back on those Cloughduv teams they were backboned by hurlers from Farranferris and the Mon."

Cloughduv won three intermediate counties and were runner-up in two, going up to the senior ranks.

“I played senior with Cloughduv in 1987 but we basically hadn’t the depth to maintain our presence in that grade.” 

Getting involved in camogie was a natural step as his sister Aoife, an All-Star for the Rebels, was to the fore.

“My brother Kevin was involved in coaching at the club and when we took over an U18 team they went on to win the county. We naturally moved on to the senior team at the club that won three county titles.”

Murray played his football with Dohenys but in 2012, he was approached to take over the Cork senior camogie team. His reign lasted 10 years and was highly successful. He guided the Leesiders to All-Ireland wins in 2014, ’15, ’17, and ’18 and an intermediate title.

DROP-OFF

Murray has mixed views about how the standard is going in the sport.

“I think there has been a dramatic fall-off in recent years. 

I think the slide started in 2021 when we lost to Galway and I thought the standard that day peaked and since that final it has gone downhill.

“To be honest, I generally worry about the sport. Though there is a problem of cooperation between camogie and ladies football it is not the cause of the slide in many counties.

“I am not convinced the split season for camogie has worked, although the players may argue differently. In my book it hasn’t improved the standard.” 

Looking back on last year's All-Ireland final, Murray had some interesting thoughts.

“I don’t want to be too negative but the Cork and Galway final last season was a poor standard and that’s from a coach who witnessed many great finals at headquarters.

“The drop in quality in Kilkenny shows that there is a general decline and for me, I have to be honest and state I haven’t been to a camogie game in two years. The only time I go now is with my daughter who plays with the Barrs.”

AN OFFER HE COULDN'T REFUSE

After helping the Barrs build a solid base with his brother Kevin, winning the Premier 2 minor county last season, the call from the Barrs senior hurling team was one he couldn’t refuse.

“It wasn’t planned but when the opportunity came, I jumped on it as it’s a great honour to be manager of a great and proud club like St Finbarr’s.”

The Barrs have two wins in the league so far but Murray believes fringe players are getting an opportunity to make a stake for a place on the panel come championship.

“We play Sars on Thursday night and I can tell you right now we will only have a shadow of the team that will be playing in the championship but our goal in every game to be competitive.

“You have to be realistic Sars will have a full complement of players. We will have to try and nullify their scoring threats as they are a quality squad but in reality our goal is getting primed for our opening championship game.”

On Sunday, Cork travel to play Tipperary and Murray believes they should be able to put in a good performance.

“Look Cork were okay up to the league final. Without playing to their potential with five minutes remaining, they were within two points of Limerick.

“Limerick done all the hurling and in my book if Cork can make one or two adjustments they should be okay and remember at this level it is very hard to go out in every game and be on the button.”

For Murray Cork will be competitive in this year’s Munster championship and fancies them to beat Tipp this Sunday.

“At the top level if you are even 1% off you could get beaten and there is no room for error."