CORK MANAGER Eamonn Ryan has confirmed that Juliet Murphy should “play some part” against Armagh in Saturday’s TG4 All-Ireland ladies senior football championship round 2 qualifier.
Murphy, a seven-time All-Ireland senior medallist, is set to complete a dramatic retirement U-turn by featuring against the Orchard County in Birr.
The inspirational Donoughmore midfielder announced her retirement from club and intercounty football in June but it was confirmed a fortnight ago that she is back. When Murphy decided to call time on her career, Ryan expressed his view that the player could have went for at least another two years.
And with the former Footballer of the year now back in the fold, Ryan reflected: “I thought she still has a lot to offer and I’m sure she has. But having been out of the game for a few months, it will take a bit to come back.”
Ryan confirmed that Murphy has “six or seven” training sessions under her belt. But she hasn’t pulled on the Cork shirt since last year’s All-Ireland final victory over Cork – and Ryan is concerned by a lack of match practice.
He explained: “She’s an excellent player but you have no idea of the effect of eight-10 months of non-involvement. You see it with soccer players when they come back. They can get match practice in reserve matches but we don’t have that facility. But I’m hoping that she will play some part at the weekend.”
For All-Ireland champions Cork, the qualifiers represent uncharted territory after the Leesiders were foiled in their quest for a tenth successive Munster crown by Kerry last month.
And Ryan admitted: “It’s our first time going through the back door – a new experience and like any new experience, we’re a bit apprehensive.
“It’s something you wouldn’t have hoped to be doing but it’s a fact and we have to get ready for it. It brings a new dynamic and how we respond to that is impossible to say.
“We were back training a week after the Munster final. We worked away on it and we seem to be working well enough but you never know.”
And Ryan is now acutely aware that after losing twice to Kerry in the Munster championship, there are no more second chances for Cork.
He said: “If we don’t perform in the next match, we have no match after that. We have to be pragmatic – we have no divine right to win it.
“Once you start losing, that can become a habit but we have prepared well.”
Ryan also confirmed that experienced goalkeeper Elaine Harte is back in the squad following her return from Australia. Armagh, beaten Division 3 finalists this year, will provide stiff opposition for Cork. James Daly’s team boasts a number of O’Connor Cup winners and they lost by just a point against Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final.
And Ryan recalled:
“We were supposed to beat them well in the 2006 All-Ireland final but we were lucky to win it. They’re a team you write off at your peril, a traditional football county and in the few times we’ve played them over the years, we’ve always found it difficult to beat them.”
Armagh’s clash with Cork is the second game of a live TG4 double-header at St Brendan’s Park, Birr. Laois and Meath meet in an all-Leinster clash at 4.15pm, before All-Ireland champions Cork look to rekindle their campaign at 6pm.
At Pearse Park in Longford, there are also two qualifiers down for decision as Westmeath, winners against Donegal last time out, tackle beaten Connacht finalists Mayo (2pm).
And at 3.45pm, Ulster runners-up Tyrone face a Clare side riding high on confidence following their surprise round 1 victory over Kildare.
Clare scored a brilliant extra-time win against the Lilywhites in Carrick-on-Shannon and manager John Burke recalled: “Going up on the bus, there would have been something clicking. We stopped for a bite to eat and the atmosphere was right. When it went to extra-time, I thought at that stage that we didn’t have another 20 minutes in us but they found it in their bellies.”
