PAUL MURPHY reckons Kerry are better tested heading into the All-Ireland series than last year.
The Kingdom completed a four in a row of provincial titles on Sunday. This one, though, was harder fought than the previous three.
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Between 2021 and 2023, the green and gold won all seven of their Munster games by double digits. Their average winning margin was a whopping 17 points.
This year, Cork and Clare came closer. The Rebels pushed them all the way before falling three points short while an improved Clare lost by seven.
After cruising to last year’s Munster title, Kerry were humbled by a Mayo side who ended a 28-year unbeaten run at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Murphy, 32, says that excuse will not apply when they host Monaghan in their Group 4 opener.
The defender explained: “You’d say we probably weren’t tested last year and we were flat on the day. Maybe it was that reason, maybe it was a number of reasons.
“We didn’t perform. We’re probably better tested this year going into our first round so I suppose we can’t use that as an excuse this time!”
Kerry manager Jack O’Connor said he could not understand why the “distracting” group-stage draw was held before their provincial final.
Murphy agrees but is looking forward to the structure of the schedule.
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He said: “You have to keep the tunnel vision, focus on the challenge that’s ahead. The draw’s the draw — you can’t control that at all.
“Now, we know we’ve Monaghan in two weeks, then it’s two-week blocks.
“We found in the last few years, you can get into a nice rhythm with two-week blocks in terms of the training load.
“The recovery initially after the game, a couple of heavy sessions and then taper off coming into the game again. It’s a good structure and we know we can plan for that — starting with Monaghan.”
Murphy has been enjoying his football this spring and is one of four players to feature in every game since January’s McGrath Cup, alongside Seán O’Shea, Gavin White and Joe O’Connor.
The 0-23 to 1-13 win at Cusack Park provided a reminder of his 2014 Championship debut at the Ennis venue.
That day, the corner-back netted a vital goal in a four-point scare.
He added: “Ten years, 11 seasons later, it’s gone by very quick. I suppose that’s life really!
“Clare are a difficult beast to face up in their own patch. We did a lot of things right.
“But things like the goal would be something we’ll be looking back on, I’m sure, on video. Other than that, job done.”
