Head to head: O Se v Murphy

Darragh O’Se and Nicholas Murphy

13 September 2007

There are many intriguing match-ups, but this is arguably the pick of the bunch. O Se and Murphy are two of the best midfielders in the modern game (they’re both current All-Stars) and how they perform on All-Ireland final day will go a long way towards deciding the outcome. Both men are vital to their team’s cause and won’t be easily replaced when they eventually decide to hang up their boots.

These giants of men have had numerous battles down the years, the most recent being the Munster final last July. O Se had the upper hand until he tired in the second half and Murphy’s strong finish to the game was a big factor in the Cork comeback which almost yielded victory.

O Se has been quiet enough by his own high standards this year, yet remains Kerry’s talisman. His importance to the team was underlined when he was reintroduced during the second half of the All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin after he was forced off with a hip flexor injury after just 20 minutes, and his leadership, experience and steady influence was crucial in getting the Kingdom over the finishing line.

The Gaeltacht clubman made his senior debut in 1996 and has had numerous midfield partners since then. This year alone, he has had three different partners in Michael Quirke, Tommy Griffin and Seamus Scanlon. There had been some speculation after last year’s All-Ireland final win over Mayo that he might follow Seamus Moynihan and Michael McCarthy into retirement, but he decided to come back and try to win a remarkable fifth All-Ireland medal which he is now just 70 minutes away from achieving.

The 32-year-old won his first All-Ireland medal in 1997 and added three more in 2000, 2004 and 2006. He also won National League medals in 1997 and 2006, and his performances earned him All-Star awards in 2000, 2002 and last year. Darragh, of course, is part of a famous GAA family and along with his younger brothers, Tomas and Marc, has played a huge part in the Kingdom’s many successes in recent years.

Cork fans will look to Nicholas Murphy to give them a vital edge at midfield where he has formed a formidable partnership with Derek Kavanagh. Long and lean, the Carrigaline clubman has for many years been recognised as one of the best fielders in the business. He is also deceptively strong as Meath’s powerfully-built full back Darren Fay found out in the All-Ireland semi-final when he was brushed out of the way as Murphy punched an early point. This was a major statement of intent from the Rebels’ undisputed leader.

At 29, Murphy may never get a better chance to finally taste All-Ireland glory. He is one of a handful of survivors from the 1999 team which lost the decider to Meath, and he has waited a long time to make amends.

O Se has reassured Kerry supporters that he will be fit for his fourth All-Ireland final on the trot. If he’s not, he will struggle to contain an opponent whose displays this year suggest that he is ready to perform on the biggest stage of all.