A PERFECT TEN
Murray: Out-half Joey is the right man at the right time for Munster
CONOR MURRAY believes the arrival of Joey Carbery will push Munster one step closer to silverware.
The Reds have not won a trophy since their Celtic League triumph in 2011, and have lost six Champions Cup semi-finals in the last ten years.
Former Leinster out-half Carbery joined up with his new province this week to take part in the Reds’ pre-season training camp at Fota Island.
And Munster scrum-half Murray thinks the 22-year-old will have no problem slotting in beside him after the duo started together for the first time in Ireland’s 18-9 defeat to Australia on June 9.
Murray recalled: “He controlled things really well in that first Test.
“That game started ferociously, particularly me and him got a few heavy hits and Australia seemed to be putting a lot of pressure on us. He kept his composure, grew into the game and eventually did really well.
“I’ve trained with him an awful lot, played with him a bit. That’ll hopefully help him settle in.
“The lads know how good he is, and can be, so there’s a bit of a buzz about him coming down.
“Joey’s very confident in his own ability, he’ll have no issues settling in or telling people what to do. I don’t have any fears for him.
“All of the other tens have their own motivation about what they want to do. Ian
Keatley has been there for a long time, JJ Hanrahan had a strong finish to the season and he’ll be looking to continue that. Those lads have an awful lot to play for, and you need that – a competitive squad.
“That’s what’s probably let us down – we didn’t have the depth we need, that if someone takes a bang someone else can step in and do a really good job. They’ll be fighting it out.”
Munster captain Peter O’mahony is also excited about the prospect of Carbery (inset) lining out in red.
“For a guy who is 22, he certainly plays like a guy who is in his late twenties. He doesn’t get flustered, he’s well able to lead a team and the beauty of it all is he’s got so much more in him, so much more to go,” said O’mahony.
“He’s had a huge amount to learn, obviously, he’s been under Jonny Sexton and had a great mentor in him and will continue to do so for a long time, hopefully.
“He’s around other guys in our squad now who have a lot of experience and who can share a lot of ideas and work well with each other and kick us in the one direction.”
Murray was in Dublin last weekend to see Limerick secure a stunning 3-32 to 2-31 All-ireland SHC semi-final win over Cork.
Beforehand, his Munster and Ireland team-mate – and fellow Limerick native – Keith Earls gave an inspirational speech to the Treaty hurlers beforehand.
“Earlsy was out chatting to them. They have linked into that a little bit,” said Murray.
“They look like a team that are completely comfortable and didn’t get bogged down by the occasion last week and that was the fear with Limerick going to Croke Park for years.
“They seem to have a grasp on that. Earlsy is doing a good job.”