Eoin Murphy: 'I'm constantly trying to improve myself'

By Cian O'Connell

Eoin Murphy is constantly adapting. The highly regarded Kilkenny goalkeeper always wants to embrace new methods and approaches.

Various hurling skills have been developed by Murphy, who retains a significant interest in monitoring sport.

Frequent puckout strategy discussions take place with the other goalkeeper's in the Kilkenny panel and Derek Lyng's backroom team. "We do, an awful lot," said Murphy at Tuesday's launch of John West Féile 2024.

"I think Darren (Brennan) and Aidan (Tallis) are a big part in that as well. When you are up in the stand and you are not there in the white heat of the battle as well they can see things and see different positions that the opposition are taking up that we can maybe take advantage of.

"Obviously, video analysis is a huge part of the game as well so you do go through everything, their previous couple of games leading up to a match as well to see if there is a weakness or somewhere you can potentially exploit as well.

"Yeah, you do play a fair part in it, but it's not something you come up with on match day, you try to game plan it as well so the outfield players know exactly what is going to happen on the day as well."

Reacting smartly in matches is part of the process for Murphy, who is preparing for Saturday's Allianz Hurling League encounter against Waterford at Walsh Park.

Adequately dealing with how an opposition sets up often requires patience. "You probably have to look at each puckout differently, because the way teams are setting up in different scenarios," Murphy responds.

"They might go full-press up for ‘x’ amount of puck-outs or ‘x’ amount of minutes, so it’s just a matter of reading that.

"But it does vary hugely, and each half then is completely different because if you are taking advantage of something in the first half, they’ll address it in the second half, so you have to be on your toes and thinking of something in another scenario or another area that you can exploit on the back of that as well."

Mental and physical challenges exist according to Murphy. "I think it’s part of playing it as well, and trying to figure things out is nearly a mental game now as much as a physical game from a kepper’s perspective, and I’m constantly trying to improve myself as a player as well," he adds.

"If I keep going maybe next year, it’s that constant thing of trying to better yourself that I get huge enjoyment out of, so I think if that did go, it would be the point in time where I’d have to say ‘look, I’ll be happy enough to walk away.’"

Murphy, the Glenmore clubman, relishes being involved in open play too. "Well it has evolved, you are pretty much an extra back, but I don’t think it will go to the extent of football because the ball can just move so much quicker, so you don’t want to be caught off guard off your line," he explains.

"But you are pretty much an additional back and if the backs are in possession and getting bottled up, you have to come out and be showing as another option there.

"Teams have become so physically strong and good in the tackle now that forwards are just as good in the tackle as the backs.

"I enjoy that side of it because I play outfield with the club and probably have a bit more comfort on the ball, but yeah, I just enjoy that aspect of it."

Murphy trusts his instincts, making decisions under pressure is part and parcel of being a goalkeeper. "There are times where you might find yourself an extra few yards out from goal and you might get a shot away, but it just depends on the scenario," Murphy says.

"When the game is ongoing you can't be looking to the sideline if I’m in possession of the ball trying to figure out what the guys are going to tell me to do. So it’s an instinct thing in that regard when it’s in play. Yeah, it’s up to your own accord, but I try not to venture out too far."