Kevin Murray (hurler)

Kevin Murray (born 1972) is an Irish former hurler and who played as a left wing-forward at senior level for the Cork county team.^[1]

Born in Kilmichael, County Cork, Murray first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team, before later joining the under-21 and junior sides. He made his senior debut during the 1994 championship. Murray went on to play a key part for Cork for almost a decade, and won one All-Ireland medals and two Munster medals.

As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team, Murray won one Railway Cup medal. At club level he played with Cloughduv and St. Finbarr's.

His sister, Aoife, is an All-Ireland medallist with Cork in camogie. His other sisters, Claire and Emer, have played underage Gaelic football for Cork. His brother, Paudie, has won junior and intermediate football All-Ireland medals with Cork.^[2]

Throughout his career Murray made 17 championship appearances for Cork. He retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 2002 championship.

Murray began his club hurling career with Cloughduv before later transferring to southside city club St Finbarr's.

Murray joined the Cork minor team in 1990. He won a Munster medal that year following a 1–9 to 0–9 defeat of Clare. Cork later faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider, however, both sides finished level at 3–14 apiece. In the replay Kilkenny proved too strong as Cork faced a heavy 3–16 to 0–11 defeat.^[3]

The following year Murray was called up to the Cork under-21 hurling team. He won a Munster medal that year as Cork defeated Limerick by 0–17 to 1–7. Murray added a second Munster under-21 medal to his collection in 1993 following another 1–18 to 3–9 defeat of Limerick. Once again All-Ireland success eluded the team.

In 1992 Murray was a key member of the Cork junior team. He collected a Munster medal that year following a hard-fought 1–12 to 1–10 defeat of Clare. The All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Wexford, however, the sides finished level. The replay saw Cork start well, however, Wexford built up a six-point lead. Even when playing with the wind in the second half Cork failed to turn the tide and were defeated by 0–13 to 1–8.

On 5 June 1994 Murray made his senior championship debut when introduced as a substitute in a 4–14 to 4–11 Munster quarter-final defeat by Limerick.

After a seven-year hiatus Cork's hurlers claimed the provincial title in 1999. A 1–15 to 0–14 defeat of three-in-a-row hopefuls Clare gave Murray his first Munster medal. Cork later faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider on 12 September 1999. In a dour contest played on a wet day, Cork trailed by 0–5 to 0–4 after a low-scoring first half. Kilkenny increased the pace after the interval, pulling into a four-point lead. Cork moved up a gear and through Joe Deane, Ben O'Connor and Seánie McGrath Cork scored five unanswered points. Kilkenny could only manage one more score – a point from a Henry Shefflin free – and Cork held out to win by 0–13 to 0–12.^[4] It was Murray's sole All-Ireland medal.

Murray won a second Munster medal in 2000, as Cork retained their title following a 0–23 to 3–12 defeat of Tipperary.

Following the conclusion of the 2002 championship, Murray left the Cork panel.

Murray was picked for the Munster inter-provincial team in 1995. He won his sole Railway Cup medal that year as Munster narrowly defeated Ulster by 0–13 to 1–9.

Cork

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: 1999
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship: 1999, 2000
• Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship: 1991, 1993
• Munster Minor Hurling Championship: 1990

Munster

• Railway Cup (1): 1995