Irish Echo Sport

Sydney Swans’ Carlow rookie Brendan Murphy gives us the latest update on life in the AFL and his recovery from a shoulder injury.
This week, he makes his way back to Sydney after a few weeks off in Ireland…

“Well I’m heading back to Oz on Friday and although I’m looking forward to getting back and getting this shoulder right I’m dreading the thought of saying goodbye all over again.

It’s hard leaving – although maybe I’m just a bit soft – but once I get on the plane there won’t be a bother on me. My sister is coming over with me for a month too so it’ll be good to show her around the club and the set up we have.

The shoulder is feeling a lot better and I have a good amount of movement in it so hopefully I’m further ahead in terms of returning to the reserves than they thought I would be at this stage.

I think the main thing will be getting confidence back because I feel that unless I take a tackle or a big hit I’ll probably have it in the back of my head that maybe it’s not as strong as what it was. Only time will tell I suppose.

People have been asking me that if and when I get myself fit again and come home at the end of the season, will that be it and I’ll be home in Ireland for good?

I honestly believe I’ll be heading back to Sydney in November again for another season is the answer to that. I just can’t go home without playing a senior game.

The support I’ve received while being at home has been great and I’d really like to thank everyone for that.

There has been talk that Kyle Coney may be returning to Australia on the same flight as me but I’ll just have to wait and see. I think both he and the club were keen for him to come back though.

Since I’ve been back home I’ve tried to hang around with the local footballers here to feel part of things. I know I’ve said it before, and I’m probably annoying people now, but I can’t wait to feel part of the action in Sydney again.

I really enjoy being with the Swans, but the atmosphere with the boys here is just 10 times better just because most of them are your best friends and boys you’ve played alongside since you were chaps – they just share the passion for Rathvilly!

One thing I am raging about is that I’ll be missing is the Heineken Cup semi-final. Now I’d be the first to admit that I’m not a big rugby person, but I don’t think there’s many people not going to tune into this massive game!

Hopefully there will be no delay with the flights and I might be able to grab the second half once I get back.

Lastly, I’d like to wish Sean O’Brien and Bernard Jackman the best of luck – it would be great to see them reach the final!”