Murphy quits panel

Meath senior football manager Eamonn O"Brien has been hit with his first major setback after goalkeeper Brendan Murphy confirmed on Sunday afternoon that he was withdrawing from the panel and that he will be playing soccer with Longford Town this season. Murphy expressed his desire to leave the panel because he no longer felt that had the appetite required to give the commitment that would be necessary if Meath are to return to the top table of Gaelic football. The Trim net minder announced that his wife Sharon is expecting a baby in July and that, coupled with his lack of hunger and changing circumstance in his personal life, contributed to his decision. 'It was a very tough decision to make, but I feel I"m making it for the benefit of Meath football,' Murphy told the Meath Chronicle. 'I didn"t feel the same hunger when I went back training this year, and that is not like me. Normally I"m bursting down the door of the gym and raring to get going, but this year I was dreading training and my heart wasn"t in it. 'I could have stayed on the panel and went through the motions because being involved with Meath brings great pride, but I felt I would have been doing the new manager, the team and the supporters a dis-service. 'My decision has nothing to do with what happened last year. After the Limerick game I couldn"t wait to get back into it, but when I started training the motivation just wasn"t there. 'It is better that I have withdrawn from the panel as it allows Eamonn O"Brien to work with David Gallagher and Paddy O"Rourke. Both men are great goalkeepers and Paddy will learn a lot from 'Gally" and he really is a great prospect for the future.' Murphy also announced that he will be signing for League of Ireland soccer club Longford Town for the new season and is glad of the opportunity to keep playing in goals, while cutting back on the huge commitment necessary with Meath. Longford Town have made it clear that Murphy will only have to train once a week and play a game at the weekend. Murphy views that as the perfect compromise. 'There is a big difference in the commitment needed with Longford Town compared to Meath,' stated Murphy who has under-age international honours with the Republic of Ireland. 'I would have commitments on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with Meath, but it will be a lot less demanding with Longford. 'The main difference now is that I will be able to spend four or five nights at home instead of just one or two, I will miss being with Meath, but it is best for all concerned. 'It will be difficult to sit back and watch the game against Dublin in June, but that"s the decision I"ve made. 'I mightn"t get to play a whole lot with Trim either, but I"ll have to see what I can do with Longford, they might let me play a bit,' concluded Murphy. Murphy will be the second former Meath goalkeeper involved with a League of Ireland club. St Ultan"s player Gary Rogers is still under contract to Premier Division side Galway United, despite rumours linking him to Sporting Fingal. In Murphy's absence at Newbridge last Sunday, O"Brien stuck with Skryne net minder Paddy O"Rourke as his number one. David Gallagher was listed as substitute goalkeeper and he is sure to figure is some of the inter-county challenges that will take place prior to the NFL Div 2 opener against Cork in three weeks time. Sunday"s 1-8 to 1-10 loss to Kildare was a disappointing result for the O"Brien as he was hoping for some more competitive games ahead of the leagues, but he can take heart from the commitment and endeavour produced by his charges in deplorable conditions. Joe Sheridan"s sparkling 20-metre goal boosted Meath to a 1-6 to 0-5 interval lead. However, after the turn around Kildare took full advantage of the strong wind and punished Meath"s inability to grab the crucial scores when needed in the opening half. Navan O"Mahonys David Bray picked up a yellow card late in Sunday"s game at Newbridge, but he wasn"t the only Meath man to receive his marching orders under the new disciplinary rules. Kevin Reilly saw yellow during DCU"s 0-11 to 0-5 win over DIT. The O"Mahonys player lined out at midfield for the Dublin college and he was joined by Seneschalstown"s Brian Sheridan at full-forward and Longwood"s Rory Maguire, who will have his transfer request to join Wolfe Tones heard by the Co Committee next week, at right-half-forward.