Doon selector Tom Murphy: 'Richie English has been huge part of Limerick's success'

DOON selector Tom Murphy believes that Richie English's leadership is what makes him such a good hurler.

“Richie English strives to set standards for everyone. Richie sets the standard himself and then he pushes fellas to reach the same standard. He leads by example,” Murphy said this week in the wake of English's decision to retire from inter-county hurling.

Doon clubman English made his senior championship debut for Limerick in 2016. He had captained the county to a Munster minor hurling title in 2013, bridging a gap of 29 years for success for the county in the age grade.

Two years later, Doon clubman English was named the U21 Player of the Championship as the Treaty men won the All-Ireland U21 title for the first time since the decorated side of the early 2000s.

Five-time All-Ireland medal winner with Limerick, English, has called time on his distinguished inter-county hurling career. All-Star defender English played a key role as Limerick ended their 45-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2018.

English won six Munster championships and three national hurling league medals during his nine year inter-county career.
In a statement, English said his decision to retire from inter-county hurling was not an easy one to make, but his body would no longer let him get to the levels he wished to reach.

“It is not easy to step away from such a wonderful group, but unfortunately my body will not let me get to the levels needed for the coming year.”

Tom Murphy told Leader Sport: “When you look over Limerick's success going back to minor in 2013 and 2014, Richie English has been part of that. If you look at all they won, he's been a huge part of that.

“He was captain of that minor team that won. He was a vital cog in the wheel for their U21 success'. When they moved up into senior, Richie led from the front, All-Star in 2018 and he should've got an All-Star in 2019.

“He was one of those stalwarts that I'm sure John Kiely and myself as manager of Doon in 2018 and 2019, are the lads that you love seeing around the place.”

Since the start of 2020, the East Limerick man has suffered two ACL injuries.

There is one particular fond moment that stands out for Murphy when it comes to Richie English.

“Two or three years ago, Richie helped me out with the Doon U15's and U16's - he's going to be a brilliant coach going forward.

“My own young fella, Eoin, it was his birthday back in 2018. I asked Richie if I got him a jersey would he mind getting it signed. The week before my son's birthday, I rang him and he said, ‘Tom, I'll look after that’.

“And my son's birthday was on a Wednesday. He arrived over and they beat Tipperary in the Gaelic Grounds that year. Richie was playing corner back and he had his jersey from that day and he gave it to my son signed by all the players.

“That was before they had won the All-Ireland. That'll tell you the cailbre of the man he is,” Murphy said.

Tom Murphy has been manager of the Doon senior hurling team in the past and was a selector under Derek McGrath in 2024 when Doon claimed their first county title. The Offaly native is part of Donal O'Grady's Limerick minor hurling management team this year.

Murphy expects Doon to benefit from having Richie English all year round.

“We're looking forward to having him back with the club. This year now we have Richie back full-time, he'll drive on standards from the club scene and then when the boys come back. You'll have the likes of Richie and Pat Ryan to really drive it on now.”