Na Fianna goalkeeper Jonathan Tracey, left, and team-mate AJ Murphy celebrate after their side's victory in the AIB Leinster GAA Senior Club Hurling Championship final match between Kilcormac Killoughey of Offaly and Na Fianna of Dublin at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell
AJ Murphy is fully aware that these are truly remarkable times for Na Fianna hurling.
Senior silverware has been accumulated and the AIB Senior Club Hurler of the Year hasn't forgotten how his own sporting journey commenced. "Growing up, when I was U5 and U6 in the nursery, you'd probably 60 lads playing football," Murphy recalls.
"At half nine you'd go down to Mobhi Road, play your football for an hour, and then 1030-1130 was hurling. At the start there was literally only six there."
The relevance of sheer hard work mattered. "My Dad would have spearheaded the hurling at my age group, Damien Murphy, along with Paschal Convoy and Oliver Power," Murphy says.
"They were huge influences for my age. I know there was only six there, but as the years went on we got huge numbers then, and it was just down to their work. I really appreciate the work they did, otherwise we wouldn't be here today only for them."
A remarkable rise for Na Fianna, who flared to prominence under Niall Ó Ceallacháin's shrewd stewardship. Murphy is delighted to have occupied a central role in the Na Fianna success story. "It is special, I've been watching hurling all of my life, watching club and county," Murphy says.
"When you see the lads at inter-county winning Player of the Year it is special, I never thought I'd do something similar at club level. So, I'm absolutely over the moon and delighted with it."
AJ Murphy impressed for Na Fianna in the AIB All-Ireland Club SHC. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Dublin SHC Final losses hurt, but valuable lessons were learned. "We had huge disappointment in 2021 and 2022, we went back after both of those finals, we analysed them," Murphy reflects.
"We learned from our mistakes. We took some serious lessons from them. Our big leaders stood up in those big games, when we need them, and they guided us through those big moments which made sure it didn't happen again in 2023 or the year just gone because we had some incredibly close games.
"Luckily enough, that bit of experience, how to kill off games, how to slow games down properly, that is what we learned in our two defeats in 2021 and 2022."
Murphy highlights the strength of the club game in the capital. "I don't think Dublin hurling gets the respect it deserves," Murphy says. "On any given day ourselves, Kilmacud Crokes, Vincent's, Lucan, Cuala, obviously what they've done in the past, and Ballyboden, Dublin hurling is extremely competitive. You take nothing for granted, it is game by game.
"I know we lost to Lucan in the group stage and only beat Vincent's after extra-time. We all know how dramatic the county final against Crokes was. Nothing was given easy to us in Dublin. We know how to win a tough game just based on our Dublin Championship."
The fact that so many senior players are ready, willing, and able to assist with juvenile teams in the club is another important factor according to Murphy. "What is special about our group of lads is that everyone is eager to give back," he remarks.
"Of the panel of nearly 40 we have, you probably have 20 lads actually involved in underage teams, including myself, I was involved with the Féile team. We love giving back which makes the club even more special."