Cork legend Brian Murphy on what next for the hurlers: This will be a hard loss to come back from

There was huge disappointment after Cork’s dismal All-Ireland hurling semi-final defeat to Galway and for dual All-Ireland winner Brian Murphy, the latest loss was hard to take.

“I believe the defeat to Galway was actually worse than last year’s final defeat to Tipperary as they simply didn’t perform and going into the game, I knew Galway would pose a serious challenge but didn’t envisage what I witnessed.”

Murphy was adamant that Cork were the architects of their own downfall.

“The way they started with this tippy-tappy hurling across the pitch was mind-boggling as it was a huge benefit to Galway settling into the game. Instead of playing fast ball into our good forwards, the whole set-up from the management was very questionable."

After Cork lost a five-point lead, they only went in at the break leading by the minimum. Despite hopes of a second-half push, the Rebels were blown away again.

“I really feel sorry for all concerned as I think this will be a hard loss to come back from. You can also go back to the Munster final that was another horror second-half performance. I thought Limerick should have won that game by seven or eight points.”

The Cork drought will be 22 years next year and Brian believes changes will need to happen big time for Cork to eventually reach that Holy Grail again.

I don’t want to be nit-picking the management but nobody in this country can understand why William Buckley lost his place in this Cork team as he was the shining light in the Munster championship for this team.

“There are other players, who we could question their selection, but for me, another failure from the line was their inability to bring stability to the defence. Damien Cahalane, who let me add had a great year since replacing Ciarán Joyce, was in trouble early doors.

Cause for concern

“You have six defenders, so why not make a change as he was getting little cover from the half-back line. But going in I was concerned from one to seven."

He felt for veteran Seamus Harnedy, who is unlikely to return.

“Seamus is a leader and a ball winner so why carry him at all on the panel if you are not going to use him, especially in a game of this magnitude.”

Looking at the overall state of the hurling championship, Murphy isn’t impressed with the present format.

There is something wrong with the championship when teams are gone in May.

"It needs an overhauling and while we may think that Munster is far better than Leinster, the overall picture is not good for hurling.”

The contribution made by the former manager Pat Ryan came in for special mention.

“I only met Pat once after the Tipperary in Thurles last year and he came across as a decent genuine man. I would like to commend him for the work he did for Cork GAA, particularly last season after losing his brother Ray.”

After joining the Garda, the first game that Murphy played for Cork at senior level was in the 1971-'72 hurling league against Tipperary at the age of 21.

Having won minor All-Ireland hurling medals in 1969 and 1970, All-Ireland minor football 1970, All-Ireland U21 hurling 1971 and 1973 and All-Ireland U21 football in 1971, he was clearly a senior star in the making and ended up delivering at senior in both codes.

In his first senior All-Ireland for Cork in 1972, Murphy tasted defeat as Cork went down to Kilkenny. Moving to the football scene in 1973 against Galway, the Nemo man played a major role as Cork lifted Sam Maguire for the first time in 28 years.

Murphy was also part of the Cork three-in-a-row between 1976 and '78.

The following season came his most disappointing game in hurling. Cork were looking to emulate the Rebels of 1941 to 1944 but Galway denied them the magical four in a row with a 2-14 to 1-13 semi- final defeat.

Murphy, who operated mainly at right corner-back was the type of player that goalkeepers and defences dream of, his style was quiet and professional. He effectively marked his man, covered well, read the game and left no gaps to goal.

The hallmark of Murphy was his ability to his consistency in defence and was renowned for his sportsmanship.

The winner of 10 All-Ireland medals he now resides in Kilkenny, and has done for 43 years, but his love for Cork hasn't diminished.

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