Mattie Murphy has been synonymous with Galway underage success since first becoming involved in inter-county management in 1989.
After last Sunday’s success, he has been wearing the “Bainisteoir bib” for six of the county’s nine All-Ireland minor winning sides, and he first started his career by steering the Tribesmen’s u-14s to a first Tony Forrestal victory 22 years ago.
After Galway easily defeated Dublin last Sunday, he added another minor title to the ones from 1992, 1994, 2004, 2005 and 2009 and further embellished his distinguished reputation at both local and national level.
Murphy had not been overly worried by the sight of Dublin scoring 6-19 against Waterford in the semi-final.
"We weren’t overly worried about reputations. We were probably a bit shy on defenders earlier in the year. We had played Dublin in Parnell Park in a challenge and young Ciarán Kilkenny scored three goals against us in the second half. However our panel and team had changed enormously since then and we were at a different level completely.
"We took a small bit of a gamble and played Adrian Tuohy there and he was very comfortable. We hadn’t as much cover for the backs as in the forwards. That was a bit of a weakness in our set-up."
How does the latest success compare to the five others annexed by Murphy since 1992?
"They all bring something different. Each panel you work with there is a different magnetism within the group. A lot of them were very disappointed last year when they were hammered by Kilkenny. They knew they hadn’t done themselves justice and had a point to prove. It was just ferocious commitment and will to win and they proved what an exceptional team they are last weekend."
