Mayo's Alan Murphy makes seamless transition from playing to managing

SOCCER INTERVIEW

WHEN Ballinrobe native Alan Murphy scored Galway United's third goal in a 3-0 win over Cobh Ramblers on April 27, 2018, both stands in Eamonn Deacy Park rose to their feet, writes NIGEL NAUGHTON.

It was a special moment for Murphy as he had just become Galway United's all-time leading scorer, his converted penalty being his 75th goal for the club.

Fast forward two years and Murphy is now manager of the Tribesmen, and has built a squad that looks set to challenge for promotion from the first division in his second full season in the hotseat upon the resumption of football across the country.

Murphy sat down with The Connaught Telegraph to discuss his playing career, managerial career, time spent with Mayo GAA, and more.

Nigel Naughton (NN): You were three games into your second season as Galway United's manager before Covid-19 put a halt to football. How have you enjoyed your first step into management in the League of Ireland with a club that is so close to your heart?

Alan Murphy (AM): Management at senior level was the natural progression in my career after spending the last 10 years managing at different levels of underage and junior football. I’m proud that I have this opportunity to manage Galway United, the League of Ireland team where it all started for me. I have spent the majority of the last 20 years involved in elite sport and look forward to the next 20 years of coaching and management.

NN: Was management and coaching always something that you had an eye on upon the completion of your playing career?

AM: Management and coaching was always the next step for me and many players and managers would suggest that I might have been trying to do both when I was playing anyway! I made it very clear from an early stage that I wanted to follow my playing career with one of coaching and management and therefore started my coaching licences at a relatively young age.

NN: How difficult is it to deal with the current crisis and break from football, given that it is almost impossible to predict when the league might return, and how have you kept your players engaged and ticking over?

AM: These are unprecedented times and very difficult ones on many levels. Health and safety are of paramount importance and everything else has to play second fiddle. Millions of people around the world are missing sport and the release that it brings, which is very natural. The Galway players have an excellent work ethic and are continuing to train hard individually and we have created some interesting and enjoyable ways to stay in touch and push each other.

NN: After an initial season where you gave many local youngsters their first taste of senior football, many have predicted a strong season for Galway United. You must be excited by the depth of talent in the squad and the potential for the club in a sports mad county?

AM: Last year was needed to stabilise the club, re-establish and create an identity that we could both be proud of and move forward with. We have many talented young players and they received an opportunity to test themselves at the elite level of Irish football. Players like Donal Higgins have now proven that they possess the application and temperament to have a League of Ireland career and will make the journey forward with us.

NN: Given your history with Galway United, being their record goalscorer and a club legend, you must be extremely proud to be their manager and and enthused by the prospect of success at the club?

AM: I think anyone that knows me and that has worked alongside me will confirm the pride, passion and enthusiasm that I have for the club. The club deserves to compete at the highest level and also deserves to have a player and management group that recognises the privilege they have to represent the club. Standards must be adhered to and surpassed in order to push the club forward.

NN: You have just being accepted on to the UEFA Pro Licence, alongside the likes of John O'Shea, Andy Keogh, Carlo Cudicini and more. Are you looking forward to beginning the course and learning even more about the game?

AM: The UEFA Pro Licence is the highest level of coaching in Europe and I’m delighted to be given the opportunity by the FAI to participate on the course. It will give me the opportunity to experience how coaches and clubs at the highest level in Europe operate through our international club visits. The wealth of knowledge from other course candidates will be an invaluable source of learning and comparison.

NN: You spent time in the Mayo GAA squad in 2012 and 2013 after shooting the lights out upon the return to your native Ballinrobe. How do you reflect on that experience?

AM: That was an awesome experience to be involved in and I learned a huge amount, both positively and negatively, about elite environments and the individuals that ultimately influence whether or not the team is successful. I was at a very good age to be able to absorb everything that was taking place in terms of a coaching and management perspective as I was considerably more mature than most in the squad. Upon reflection, I experienced significant dos and do nots to bring forward to my coaching and management philosophies.

NN: Do you keep an eye on the sporting world in Mayo, both GAA and soccer?

AM: Absolutely. My parents and brother still live in Ballinrobe, along with many of my friends, so I’m continuously updated as to the state of Mayo GAA and local soccer. As a coach, I always have an eye on up and coming Mayo talent and this has been evident from the little gems we have uncovered in the last few years. Jack O’Connor from Knock signing his first professional contract this season with Galway United and featuring already is a perfect example.

NN: You also work as a secondary school teacher in St. Joseph's College, Galway (The Bish). Given that you managed to combine professional football and education as a young player, is this something that you recommend young players pursue and something that is a viable option for young players in this country?

AM: I have now experienced both sides of this coin and it’s something that I’m really passionate about. Sport and education together can provide young people with an excellent blend in order to grow and develop into well rounded and ambitious adults. Society today places so many pressures on young people and any guidance or help that we can provide through avenues like sport is hugely important.

NN: Finally, your old gaffer at Derry City, Stephen Kenny, has just taken the hot seat as manager of the Irish senior team. Are you looking forward to seeing how he does in the role, and potentially a more expansive style of play that hasn't been there for a while?

AM: Stephen is an inspiration to all coaches and managers of all codes in Ireland. He has broken the mould in terms of what can be achieved and the potential that individuals within sport have in this country. Speaking to him a few weeks before he was appointed, he always has been his own man and has started the job now not afraid to back himself and the decisions he makes. He is a person and a professional that I have learned a considerable amount from and no doubt will continue to do so as he is incredibly approachable and loyal.