The absence of Red Óg Murphy was sorely felt during the scenes of celebration after Sligo claimed the divison four title on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday marked a year to the day since Murphy tragically died by suicide at the age of just 21, in news that shocked the GAA world and led to an outpouring of grief for an immensely talented young man.
Having played on the Sligo senior panel in both 2020 and 2021, there's no doubt that Red Óg Murphy would have been involved in a big way for Saturday's division four final against Wicklow and, after they came out on the winning side, members of the Sligo team dedicated their triumph to the memory of their late teammate.
Wicklow v Sligo: Red Óg Murphy remembered after emotional Sligo win
Sligo went in at half-time of the division four final against Wicklow two points down, and struggling to create scoring opportunities. After a massive second half performance, they managed to hold on in the driving rain to take a two-point victory and finish their league campaign on a high by becoming division four champions.
Their victory was thanks in no small part to the brilliance of corner forward Niall Murphy, who was awarded man-of-the-match. In his post-match interview, Murphy paid tribute to the late Red Óg Murphy, and said that the league final was a day that would have been "made" for the gifted youngster.
#WICvSLI@sligogaa 2-10@wicklowgaa 0-14
Is é Niall Murphy ó @sligogaa Laoch na hImeartha inniu.👏🏆
"We knew coming into the second half we needed to put the feet down and just go at it."
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺 pic.twitter.com/88MRTaOdx4— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 1, 2023
Speaking to TG4 after the final whistle, Niall Murphy:
It was a year to the day - a quick, quick year.
Days like today were made for Red Óg. We miss him dearly, I know a lot of the lads were very, very close to him in Kerry GAA and DCU and playing with him underage.
Red Óg's legacy will live on and, for such a young man, he's a legend of Sligo football.
When Niall Murphy - also captain of the Sligo team - accepted the cup, he would go on to say that Sligo were dedicating their triumph to their departed team mate, in a beautiful gesture.
#WICvSLI@sligogaa 2-10@wicklowgaa 0-14
Is iad Sligeach buaiteoirí inniu sa Chluiche Ceannais na Sraithe, Roinn 4!
Ardaíonn captaen na foirne, Niall Murphy, an corn. 🏆
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺#AllianzLeagues | #GAABEO | @sligogaa pic.twitter.com/22eRrPuUdd— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 1, 2023
A wonderful day for Sligo GAA, but one tinged with sadness, with the absence of Red Óg Murphy felt all too keenly in Croke Park on Saturday.
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