David Clifford paid tribute to Red Óg Murphy following Kerry's victory over Mayo in Sunday's National Football League Division 1 final.
Red Óg, who played football for Curry, DCU, and Sligo, tragically died on Friday aged just 21. Last month, both Clifford and Red Óg were both named in the Higher Education Football Team of the Year for their performances in the Sigerson Cup. The two played against each other, Clifford for UL and Red Óg for DCU, in the tournament's semi-final.
"I want to send regards from everyone in Kerry GAA to the family of Red Óg Murphy from Sligo," said Clifford during his captain's speech.
"We were all lucky enough to see Red Óg play in the Sigerson this year, and we saw what he could do."
David Clifford remembers Red Óg Murphy
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Clifford pays tribute to Red Óg Murphy ag deireadh na hóráide#AllianzLeagues #GAABEO@GAA_BEO @AllianzIreland
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Speaking on RTÉ Radio One's Sunday Sport following the Division 1 final, Sligo legend Eamonn O'Hara described Red Óg as a "gem".
"He was confident in his ability," said O'Hara.
"It wasn't big headedness or ego, he just knew that he do it, so why wouldn't he just go and do it.
"Growing up, he was in St Attracta's Tubbercurry, and he had such an influence on a lot of the teams there that got to Connacht finals playing the likes of Gerard's and Jarlath's. He was well able to mix it there.
"Obviously, he then got the opportunity to go down to North Melbourne on a rookie contract. He felt himself that it didn't suit, and he came back home, and he had the bravery and strength to do that. When he came back, we welcomed him with open arms because it was like, 'Red Óg is back. There's a chance here for Sligo'. That's me with my football and my Sligo hat on.
"His team, Curry, they got relegated to intermediate, and they were down there for a year or two. In his first year back, two years ago, they were intermediate champions, and he was the catalyst for that. Last year, they played Tourlestrane, and they got to the semi-final, and should have beaten us."
10 February 2022; Red Óg Murphy of DCU Dóchas Éireann in action against Ciarán Downes of UL during the Electric Ireland HE GAA Sigerson Cup Semi-Final match between DCU Dóchas Éireann and University of Limerick at Dr Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
O'Hara is part of Dessie Sloyan's Sligo U20 management team. Sloyan worked with Red Óg at U20 level.
"He talked about his own son," said O'Hara.
"He'd want to go and see Red Óg, just to see what type of hairstyle he had this week because they'd copy him.
"The 12, 13-year-olds just wanted to be him, and look like him. That was the influence he had at 21-years-of-age.
"The most important lesson that we can take from it is that we're all here for each other, and don't be afraid to reach out, and ask for support or help."
Featured images: 30 May 2021; Red Óg Murphy of Sligo during the Allianz Football League Division 4 North Round 3 match between Louth and Sligo at Geraldines Club in Haggardstown, Louth. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile and 3 April 2022; Kerry captain David Clifford mentions Red Óg Murphy of Sligo in his acceptance speech after the Allianz Football League Division 1 Final match between Kerry and Mayo at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
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