'I’m the right man at the right time in the right place' - Joe Murphy

After a whirlwind few days, new Carlow manager Joe Murphy finally had a chance to draw breath as he faced the media in the bowls of the Pairc Tailteann stand after a Leinster Championship defeat to Meath.

Just over a week before, he was focused on helping Naas through the Kildare league and preparing them to bid for a fifth successive Kildare Senior Championship later in the year. He was in one of the most desired club jobs in the province, maybe even in the country. Involved with a club with aspirations of reaching the very top but when Carlow came calling he couldn’t turn down his native county in their hour of need.

“It’s been a hectic week, alright,” said the Éire Óg man with a wry smile.

“A lot of things happened very quickly. We got no work done really before today, it was just regrouping, learning names actually. Today was an accurate reflection of where we are. It’s a starting point and there’s loads of work to be done,” he added before going through the timeline of his week.

“It happened over the weekend really, the decision was made last Monday after I spoke with Naas. The timeline then was that I got with the players for the first time on Wednesday night and then again on Friday and then into playing Meath today, which was a fair wake up call for where we are,” he said.

Murphy was very happy in his role with Naas and said it was only the Carlow job that could have tempted him away.

“100%, there would have had been no other reason.

“It was one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make. I have a great grá for Naas and they treated me very well up there. They have been very successful but sometimes your heart can rule your head,” said Murphy.

There was a school of thought that Murphy could double job, as Tom Mullally does with the Naas and Carlow hurlers but after considering all aspects, Murphy and those involved decided that it could only be one job or the other.

“Naas is practically like a county team, it’s a vibrant spot and they have great ambitions. Maybe initially there was a thought that way but when you got down to do the math on it then it wasn’t really viable. It was only one or the other really and I decided to come home to Carlow,” said Murphy.

His glittering CV is littered with success at club level but the Carlow job was always one that he dreamed off. The timing had to be right though, and Murphy feels that time is now.

“You have to be ready for it. I probably hadn’t felt I had developed enough as a manager until now but now, I’m the right man at the right time in the right place,” he said.

As it stands, Murphy’s official title as per the statement released by Carlow GAA to announce his appointment is interim manager and his term is for the duration of the 2025 Championship but that is something that Murphy would be open to extending if things go to plan.

“That was the only discussions we had so far. It all happened so quickly, I haven’t even got down to putting a management team together yet. We’ll see how the rest of the season plays out in the Tailteann Cup and then we’ll look forward to see what happens in the future,” he said.

On the Meath game, he felt the coin toss that ended with Meath playing with a strong wind in the first half was crucial.

“We lost the toss. Today especially, coming in as the minnow, the underdog, whatever way you want to describe it, going up against a Division 2 team who were very close to going up to Division 1 you’d take any elements, just to settle you down and give you that early confidence. And it was an extremely strong wind out there. The toss was key for us today. Maybe if we won it and were able to go in at half time a couple of points ahead or something, I’m not saying it would have changed the result in any way but it would certainly have made it more competitive for the spectators because really, after half time it was just damage limitation,” he said.

After such a rush to prepare for the game in Pairc Tailteann, Murphy is looking forward to utilising the five week build up to the Tailteann Cup and getting to work with the squad ahead of the first game on the weekend of 10/11 May.

“That will be really priceless for us and I’m looking forward to that because I saw enough green shoots there at times today that there’s loads to work on. There’s loads to do but there is a good character in the dressing room. They are committed to representing their county and it’s up to us now to develop that,” said Murphy.

As regards to the squad, Murphy is keeping all options open.

“We’ll see what happens. The gate is always open to come into the field and train with Carlow, I’m not refusing anyone. Those who want to come forward we’ll certainly look at and consider,” he said, and he developed that point further when speaking to Oisin Langan on KCLR Radio.

“The door is closed to no one. Personally, I’m not going reaching out asking players to play with their county. If individuals felt that in another management team that things weren’t working out, the door is open. I’m looking forward to every player who wants to represent their county coming in and we’ll certainly have a look at them. What’s past is past and we’re only focused on the future and a new era for Carlow. That’s the ambition now, to bring success to the county and anyone who wants to be part of that is welcome,” he said.