Sean Murphy enjoying journey to Electric Ireland MFC final with Tyrone
Elliott Kerr of Tyrone and coach Niall Morgan after the Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC semi-final win over Roscommon. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Sunday July 6
Electric Ireland MFC Final
Kerry v Tyrone, Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge**, 1.30pm, TG4**
Referee: Thomas Murphy
By Paul Keane
Tyrone coach Sean Murphy says it's been a summer of fun for the Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor football finalists at their Garvaghy training centre.
Murphy's minors, Tyrone's all conquering U-20 team and the flagship seniors all trained alongside eachother and have enjoyed terrific seasons.
The minors are 60 minutes from a first Electric Ireland All-Ireland title since 2010 while the U-20s have already won their competition.
And the seniors are through to the last four in the race for Sam with goalkeeper Niall Morgan also part of the minor coaching team.
Murphy said the three groups inspired and encouraged eachother as they chatted at training and ate together afterwards.
"The three squads were all up there together for a few months, it was absolutely class because everybody was all in it together," said Murphy.
"Even around the dressing-rooms the vibes were great. Obviously the U-20s ended their season with a great All-Ireland win and our season is coming to an end now as well. The seniors will hopefully keep it going for another wee while yet.
"It's been great to have that tightness up in Garvaghy together and it's probably helped all three teams because the buzz has been so good and the results have followed."
Both sides come to the Electric Ireland minor decider with perfect records.
Tyrone have claimed six wins from six, powering through Ulster to collect a 26th provincial title before taking out Cork and Roscommon in the All-Ireland series.
Opponents Kerry won their third Munster title in a row before seeing off Cavan and Mayo in tight encounters.
The two groups have talented players capable of running up big tallies with Peter Colton, Cathal Farley and Eoin Long impressing for Tyrone so far.
Murphy namechecked the in-form Ben Kelliher, Kevin Griffin and captain Gearoid White as special Kerry talents.
"That's only three I've named, Kerry have a load more guys and look a squad with great talent for sure," said Murphy, who reckons Newbridge is a great choice for what could be a classic final.
"We're hearing great reports about the stadium since it's been done up. I'd imagine there'll be a cracking atmosphere."
The Tyrone and Kerry seniors will meet the following Saturday - the latest instalment of an epic rivalry between the counties that goes back decades.
But Murphy said they won't lean into the history element for the minor meeting.
"It wouldn't matter what county we came up against, it's an All-Ireland final at the end of the day," he said. "Winning it is the main objective."
It's Murphy's first season in boss Gerard Donnelly's backroom team. Former Tyrone star Ciaran Gourley is also involved, as well as current senior goalkeeper Morgan.
"Niall is an absolutely unbelievable coach," said Murphy. "You could listen to that man talk football all day. It's great because the players are going to places like Croke Park and watching the seniors and they're seeing their coach perform at a very high level. He's backing up everything he's saying to them. Hopefully he can go another step or two with the seniors as well."
