On Friday June 11, 2021 Annaghdown youngster Alex Murphy, at a mere 16 years of age, was introduced to the SSE Airtricity League first division.
A dynamic debut culminated in a dramatic, last gasp Galway United win over Athlone Town at Eamonn Deacy Park. It was a victory that injected United’s campaign with hope that brighter days awaited with Murphy’s assured contribution a significant factor.
In the intervening months Murphy has subsequently been capped at U18 level by the Republic of Ireland with a number of clubs monitoring his development.
On the eve of a new domestic campaign Murphy can reflect on his emergence under John Caulfield. “I was nervous about it, but it was an unreal year for me,” Murphy says. “In the summer everything happened so quickly, it was an unreal experience on my debut, something I will never forget.”
Characters in the United squad such as captain Conor McCormack and Killian Brouder provided assistance. “The senior players were all very helpful like McCormack and Brouder, they just gave me tips when they could, they showed me what I should be doing and how I should prepare,” Murphy adds. “That was a great help.”
Now the former Corrib Celtic player wants to continue his sporting education. “I cannot wait now, we are looking to build on last year,” Murphy says. “We will hopefully get promoted this year. We were unlucky last year not to so hopefully we can get promoted this year.
“Sport was everything for me growing up, it is all I thought about during the day in school. I just wanted to go training, sport was everything for me really.”
Balancing football and school at Claregalway College is what Murphy, alongside other emerging talents, wants to do.
“At the start it was a challenge because you would just have to be rushing from training to school,” Murphy recalls. “You wouldn't even get a shower, you would just get straight into school. It has got easier as I have done it a bit more. I'm getting more used to it, I don't find it too bad now.
“You would be in school for the last two classes and you would be grand then for the rest of the day, you might go to study after, you would be grand.
“We have Shauna Brennan and Kate Slevin in there with Galway WFC. It is a very sporty school, there is a lot going on and it is a great school to be in.”
The staff is packed with former and current inter-county hurlers and footballers too. “It is good craic in the school, you can have a laugh with them about the matches at the weekend or whatever,” Murphy says.
Eager to develop further Murphy is relishing the upcoming campaign with United. “Last year was unreal for me, but this year I'm just hoping to get into more Irish squads and every Irish squad that I can,” he says. “Maybe try to get into the year above Irish squad, to do as well as I can.”
Caulfield’s implementation of a full-time set-up bodes well for accomplished young players. “It is great because going forward you want to be in a professional environment, it is good to get it this early as I am, it is a great experience for me.” Murphy says. “Anyone that comes in training from the underage it is great to see what a full time set-up is like.
“Hopefully I will just get more starts this year and am a bit more involved than I was, even though I was involved last year. Hopefully I am starting most games, pushing on, and playing well this year.”
**Listen to the full interview with Galway United's Alex Murphy on this week's episode of the 'Cian on Sport' podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
