The incredible rise of Eoin Murchan, from taking stats to starting for Dublin

Eoin Murchan starred for Dublin en route to this years All-Ireland win, but the Na Fianna defender had a very different role in the team last year.

Murhcan came out of nowhere this season to announce himself on the inter-county stage. During the Super 8s he was tasked with detailing Ryan McHugh, and the youngster completely nullified the threat of Donegal's key player. He then travelled to Omagh and kept a lid on Niall Sludden, who until that point had been Tyrone's most impressive forward. Many are under the illusion that this was Murchan's first season in the Dublin squad, thus his first All-Ireland win, but the truth is he won an All-Ireland medal 12 months ago. However, the corner back found himself carrying out a very different role against Mayo.

Speaking to RTE Sport, Murchan said, "I was helping in the stats box for the game... It’s good to be out on the pitch."

Amazing. In the space of a year he has gone from not making the match day squad, to starting an All-Ireland final. A second All-Ireland win is some achievement, but the Na Fianna man is not resting on his laurels. Many of the Dublin squad collected their sixth winners medal yesterday and Murchan feels that is what drives the other players on year after year.  

"Some of the guys have six medals, a lot of us only have two or three and that’s why we put in so much work during the year."

Despite completing the four-in-a-row these Dublin players are showing no signs of letting up. If anything the more they win, the more they want to keep winning. Murchan is already talking about the drive for five next season.

"We’ll enjoy this one for now but we’ll come back fighting next year."