‘I realised how much it meant to our parents’ — Eoin Murphy on sharing the Kilkenny jersey with his brothers

Eoin Murphy has revealed the special significance of sharing the Kilkenny jersey with his brothers Alan and Shane, admitting it is only now that he fully appreciates what those moments meant to their parents.

The former Kilkenny goalkeeper played alongside both brothers during his distinguished inter-county career, describing the experience as one of the personal highlights of his time in the black and amber.

The Glenmore man, who announced his retirement last month, had a long and distinguished career at inter-county level, winning four All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medals, 10 Leinster titles and five National Hurling League titles, as well as four All-Star awards in 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023.

“Personally, I think playing in the same field with Alan and Shane (brothers) in the Kilkenny jersey was just incredible. It’s only now that I probably realise how much it meant to our parents,” he said.

“We played maybe three league games together. There were quite a few championship panels and championship years that we went through together, but that was special. It was a personal highlight getting to play with the two brothers.

The Kilkenny shot-stopper also opened up about his decision to retire.

“I know the hardest part will probably hit me next January when the boys are preparing for the first league game. Getting over that and being a retiree at that stage will be hard.

“The Kilkenny wheel is still turning. It’ll go on, and they’ll be successful. I’ll be one of their biggest supporters, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them.”

“In reality, I probably wasn’t number one this year. That wasn’t a big factor in it, but I’ve played for the previous 15 years, and being a sub-keeper is probably the hardest position there is because you only have one position to be fighting for,” the departed goalkeeper said in his first sit-down interview.

“If you’re a back, you can mix between numerous other positions. There are essentially five other positions in the backs that you can go for. Sub-goalkeeping is probably one of the hardest positions.

“I’d be really close with Aidan Tallis and Diarmuid Galway as well, and you’d never be wishing ill-will or hoping for mistakes because that’s not for the betterment of the team,” he added, praising the pair’s positive contribution to the panel.

“I’d given so much. I’m 36 now as well, I’ve a little girl at home, and I have other things that I want to focus on outside of an inter-county career because it’s all-consuming.

“You can’t give 90%. You just won’t get anything out of it unless you’re giving 100%. I just felt there were other areas in my life that I wanted to give time back to, my wife Gráinne, and our little one Bríd,” he explained.

“Living back home in Glenmore, you’re gone four evenings a week. You’re finishing up work early enough, 4.30/4.45pm, and you’re gone out the door and not back until after 10pm. You’re getting up and going to work the next day, possibly going to the gym the next evening and facing into the same thing again.

“It wasn’t a sacrifice. I’m not alluding to that. I absolutely gave everything and loved it, but I just thought now was the right time to go.”

Despite being assured in his choice, the former inter-county shot-stopper acknowledged the decision hasn’t fully registered.

“It probably hasn’t sunk in just yet. I think it’ll probably really hit home come January when you’re facing into the league games. That’s really when the excitement for that year starts.

“As much as you have to do the pre-season work and stuff like that, it’s not enjoyable. It’s great being around the team and stuff like that, but it’ll really hit home in January, and that’s when I’ll feel the pinch, but I’ve made peace with the decision, probably earlier in the year in my own mind, and I’m happy enough with it.

“I’ve given 20 years of unbelievable service between underage, minor, under-21 and 16 years of a career playing senior. As a young fella, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, and I’ve lived that dream for 15 years, so I’ve no complaints whatsoever,” Murphy explained.

“I made peace with the decision, but at the same time, when it came to leaving the WhatsApp group with the players and actually pressing send on the socials, that was quite emotional,” he revealed.

“That was actually the hardest part. I thought I would find it a little bit easier, but I didn’t. I’m happy enough to admit that because it’s been a massive part of my life.

“For more than half of my life, I’ve been hurling at whatever age group with Kilkenny. It’s been a huge part of my life, and a part of my life that I’ve loved absolutely every second of it. I wouldn’t change a thing.

“Obviously, I would have loved to have won a few more All-Irelands, but I gave it absolutely everything that I had. I’m just happy that I got what I got out of it, and I hope I left the jersey in a fairly good position.”

Over his 15-year inter-county career, trends and tactics in the game of hurling have changed, something the Kilkenny man has taken his stride, even suggesting the big matchday experience may return in the future, albeit in a different capacity.

“I’m a bit of a student of the game. I’d be analysing things and would love looking at film.

“Maybe in the future, I won’t say just yet because it would probably kill me, but I’d love to maybe go into coaching whenever I’m finished with the club. I’ve been involved in the underage set-up in the club, and I love that element of it, making it exciting for players.

“There’s so much more to learn. I was always willing to learn as a player, and as a player for the club now, I don’t think that’ll change. If there’s something I need to try to improve upon with the coaching team there, I’d be more than willing to give it a go,” he said.

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