Nickie Quaid vs Eoin Murphy - why one goalkeeper has a slight edge and how the other can turn that around tomorrow. Column by AnthonyNash6
Anthony Nash GIVEN MY BACKGROUND, I’m often asked to do sessions with club goalkeepers. Or coaches wonder what they might do to improve their keepers.
The two best goalkeepers in the country will take their place at opposite ends of Croke Park on Sunday, Limerick’s Nickie Quaid and Eoin Murphy of Kilkenny. It’s no coincidence they are exceptional hurlers. You’d be confident to put either outfield tomorrow. There are very few players on either side you’d be as comfortable moving back to goals. I realise I’m not wearing my goalkeeper bias lightly here – but these two are at the pinnacle of the sport.
When I was coming through the grades in Cork I made progress due to my shot-stopping skills that I worked really hard on. This was the same with every goalie; our reputations were forged in flying saves, acts of bravery barely distinguishable from madness and the ability to welt the ball 90 yards down the field on top of the big man.
The situation was different in Kilkenny. Eoin Murphy had any number of good-in-the-air players to aim at, Brian Cody saw to that. I’m not sure Cody would have been a huge fan of short puckouts either – just a feeling. Though who could question him? Maybe John Kiely and Paul Kinnerk if they add another seven All-Irelands.
Opposition teams should be thinking hard about Murphy’s puckouts, but I’m not sure they are yet. His distribution is good – but it can become excellent. I read some interesting stats in a piece in the Irish Examiner by Eoghan Cormican from last year. Quaid hit 34 long puckouts in the 2022 final, with Limerick winning 24 of them for a 74% retention rate. Kilkenny had a 41% retention rate from 32 long puckouts.
As phenomenal a shot-stopper as Murphy is, that trait is unlikely to win the day. The timing and aesthetic of his glorious save from Clare’s Peter Duggan will arguably make it his career high point; it’s a high point for goal-keeping in general.
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