SEÁN Murphy hailed the role played by Niall Morgan as Tyrone prepare to face Kerry in Sunday’s Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC final.
Senior goalkeeper Morgan is serving on Gerard Donnelly’s minor backroom team this year and his guidance has proved invaluable.
And fellow coach Murphy — who is assisting Donnelly with Ciarán Gourley — gushed when speaking of the impact Morgan has made.
He explained: “Niall is an absolutely unbelievable coach. You could listen to him talk football all day.
“It’s great because the players are going to places like Croke Park and watching the seniors and they’re seeing their coach perform at a very high level.
“He’s backing up everything he’s saying to them. Hopefully he can go another step or two with the seniors as well.”
Morgan was part of the Tyrone side that powered past Dublin in last weekend’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final.
And the Red Hand keeper is now just two wins away from lifting Sam Maguire — with a semi-final to come against Kerry on July 12.
But it has already been a good summer for the Ulster county, who saw their Under-20s romp to All-Ireland glory in May.
The minors now have a chance to claim more silverware this weekend in Newbridge against Kerry.
And they have been boosted by being able to train close to the seniors and Under-20s this year at their Garvaghy base.
Murphy revealed: “The three squads were all up there together for a few months. It was absolutely class because everybody was in it together. Even around the dressing rooms the vibes were great.
“Obviously the Under-20s ended their season with a great All-Ireland win and our season is coming to an end now as well. The seniors will hopefully keep it going for another wee while yet.
“It’s been great to have that tightness up in Garvaghy together and it’s probably helped all three teams because the buzz has been so good and the results have followed.”
Tyrone and Kerry come into the St Conleth’s Park showdown with perfect records.
The Red Hands have claimed six wins from six, powering through Ulster to collect a 26th provincial title before taking out Cork and Roscommon in the All-Ireland series.
The Kingdom won their third Munster title in a row before seeing off Cavan and Mayo in tight encounters.
The two groups have talented players capable of running up big tallies with Peter Colton, Cathal Farley and Eoin Long impressing for Tyrone.
Murphy namechecked the in-form Ben Kelliher, Kevin Griffin and captain Gearóid White as special Kerry talents.
But he said: “That’s only three I’ve named, Kerry have a load more guys and look a squad with great talent.”
The Tyrone and Kerry seniors will meet the following Saturday in the latest instalment of an epic rivalry between the counties that goes back decades.
But Murphy said they will not lean into the history element for the minor meeting.
He added: “It wouldn’t matter what county we came up against, it’s an All-Ireland final at the end of the day. Winning it is the main objective.
