Kieran Murphy

Playing career

Sarsfields

Murphy plays his club hurling with his local club called Sarsfield's and has enjoyed much success. He first came to prominence as the club enjoyed an under-age boom in the early years of the new century. After experiencing little success at minor level, Murphy was a key member of the 'Sars' under-21 team that reached the final of the county under-21 championship in 2003. Valley Rovers provided the opposition on that occasion, however, they proved no match for Murphy's side. A 3–11 to 0–12 score line gave victory to Sarsfield's and gave Murphy a county under-21 winners' medal.

By this stage Murphy was also a member of the Sarsfield's senior hurling team. In 2008 the club reached the county final of the senior championship, with Murphy serving as captain. A narrow 2–14 to 2–13 victory over Bride Rovers gave Murphy a county senior championship winners' medal and gave 'Sars' a first county final win since 1957.

Cork

Murphy first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor hurling team when he was just sixteen years-old in 1999. He enjoyed little success in his debut season, however, in 2000 Cork reached the provincial minor decider. Limerick provided the opposition on that occasion, however, they were no match for 'the Rebels'. A 2–19 to 1–10 trouncing gave Cork the victory and gave Murphy a Munster winners' medal. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Galway. A high-scoring encounter saw 'the Tribesmen' take the title by 2–19 to 4–10.

In 2001 Murphy was in his third and final season as a member of the Cork minor hurling team. They surrendered their Munster title to Tipperary following a conclusive 1–13 to 1–6 defeat. Cork, however, still had a chance to claim the All-Ireland title via the 'back door'. Murphy gave one of his best-ever displays in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kilkenny when he scored 3–6. After coming through the All-Ireland series Cork reached the All-Ireland championship decider. For the second year in succession Galway were the opponents. Murphy scored 1–5 in that game, as Cork went on to win by 2–10 to 1–8. It was his first All-Ireland minor winners' medal.

Murphy subsequently joined the Cork under-21 team, however, he enjoyed little success in this grade. He lost back-to-back Munster deciders to Tipperary in 2003 and 2004, with Murphy serving as captain in the former year.

Murphy's performances at under-age levels brought him to the attentions of the Cork selectors at senior level. He made his senior championship debut in 2003, a year which saw Cork's players emerge from a bitter stand-off with the county board, however, he played no part in the county's Munster final victory and subsequent All-Ireland final defeat.

2004 saw Cork reach the Munster final once again and, for the second consecutive year, Waterford provided the opposition. In what many consider to be the greatest provincial decider of them all, both sides fought tooth-and-nail for the full seventy minutes. Unfortunately for Murphy, Cork lost the game by just a single point on a score line of Waterford 3–16, Cork 1–21. Although Cork surrendered their provincial crown they were still in with a chance of landing the All-Ireland title. After manoeuvring through the qualifiers Cork reached a second consecutive All-Ireland final and, once again, Kilkenny provided the opposition. The game was expected to be another classic; however, a damp day put an end to this. While the first-half was a low-scoring affair, the second-half saw Cork completely take over. For the last twenty-three minutes Cork scored nine unanswered points and went on to win the game by 0–17 to 0–9 with Murphy knocking over two vital scores en route to victory. It was Murphy's first All-Ireland winners' medal.

Munster

Murphy has also lined out with Munster in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He played with the province for the first time in 2004, however, Munster were defeated in the final by Connacht with a 1–15 to 0–9 score line. 2005 saw Murphy line out in a second Railway Cup final. Leinster provided the opposition on that occasion, however, victory went to Munster by 1–21 to 2–14, giving Murphy a Railway Cup winners' medal.

Coaching career

Cork

On 17 October 2016, Murphy was ratified as a selector under John Meyler with the Cork under-21 team. On 13 July 2017, Cork began their Munster Championship campaign with a last-minute 2-17 to 1-19 semi-final defeat of Waterford. On 26 July, Cork faced Limerick in the Munster final. The game ended in a 0-16 to 1-11 defeat for Murphy's side.

On 14 November 2017, Murphy was ratified as a selector with the Cork senior team following John Meyler's earlier appointment as manager. His first match as part of the management team was a 2-23 to 1-21 loss to Limerick in the pre-season Munster League. Cork later went undefeated in the new Munster Championship round robin. Murphy's side won their second successive Munster final, where they defeated Clare on 1 July 2018 to win the title by 2-24 to 1-19.

Career statistics

Honours

Sarsfield's

Cork Senior Hurling Championship:

Winner (4): 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014

Runner-up (2): 2009, 2013

Cork Under-21 Hurling Championship:

Winner (1): 2003

LIT

Fitzgibbon Cup:

Winner (2): 2005, 2007 (C)

Cork

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship:

Winner (2): 2004, 2005

Runner-up (2): 2003 (sub), 2006

Munster Senior Hurling Championship:

Winner (3): 2003 (sub), 2005, 2006

Runner-up (2): 2004, 2010 (c)

Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship:

Winner (0):

Runner-up (2): 2003 (C), 2004

All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship:

Winner (1): 2001

Runner-up (1): 2000 (sub)

All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship:

Winner (1): 2001

Runner-up (1): 2000

Munster Minor Hurling Championship:

Winner (1): 2000

Runner-up (1): 2001

Munster

Railway Cup:

Winner (1): 2005

Runner-up (1): 2004