IRELAND CAPTAIN MICHAEL Murphy goes into the second test of this year’s International Rules series knowing that, whatever happens, this weekend won’t be quite as hectic as the previous one.
The Donegal forward led his country to 22-point victory over the visitors at Kingspan Breffni Park last Saturday and, less than 24 hours later, had won man-of-the-match as his club Glenswilly earned victory over Killybegs in the Donegal senior football championship.
“It was all adrenaline,” Murphy said. “The adrenaline was still going, getting back to the clubhouse and things like that, things go on for a little bit longer.
“On Monday I was sore enough. I did a bit of recovery but then you’re back at it. Getting back in to see the lads again on Wednesday helped spur things on a bit.
“Training in here on a Thursday afternoon was a big surprise to us. It’s not often you can do that on Thursday afternoon – go in to Croke Park for a training session. It was just brilliant and I’m looking forward again to Saturday now.”
Ireland manager Paul Earley has made two changes to his panel for today’s game with Ciaran McKeever and John Doyle coming in for the injured Finian Hanley and Aidan O’Shea who has club commitments with Breaffy.
And after being handed such a comprehensive defeat in the opener, Murphy is aware that Australia may come out all guns blazing this time around.
“I think maybe you have to,” he said. “Even from listening to them speaking, I suppose the criticism maybe that has been thrown at them this week, that it will galvanise them and I suppose spur them on to come out and getting at it.
“I suppose it will mean that, in the first couple of quarters, we will need to be at our game, trying to get forward and being a bit more clinical than we were last week. The worst case scenario for us is if they get off to a good start and get their tails off.”
