| Niall Murray | |
| Irish: | Niall Mac Muirí |
| Sport: | Gaelic Football |
| Icposition: | Forward |
| Feet: | 5 |
| Inches: | 11 |
| Occupation: | Financial Consultant |
| Clyears: | 2008– |
| Clubs: | Cavan Gaels |
| Code: | Football |
| County: | Cavan |
| Clcounty: | 5 |
| Province: | Ulster |
| Icyears: | 2011–2022 |
| Counties: | Cavan |
| Icprovince: | 1 |
Niall Murray (born 1990) is an Irish Gaelic footballer for Cavan Gaels who previously played for the Cavan county team.
Murray joined the Cavan Gaels senior panel in 2008.[1] On 19 October 2008, Murray came on as a substitute as Cavan Gaels defeated Denn in the Cavan Senior Football Championship final, winning his first county title.[2]
On 4 October 2009, Murray came on as a substitute in the county final as the Gaels defeated Denn for the second year in a row.[3]
On 26 September 2010, Cavan Gaels faced Kingscourt Stars in the county final. Murray started at full forward as the Gaels fell to a four-point loss.[4]
Cavan Gaels were back in the county final in 2011, facing Castlerahan on 2 October. Murray started as Cavan Gaels secured another senior championship.[5]
On 13 October 2013, Murray was in the half back line as the Gaels returned to the county final, facing Ballinagh. Ballinagh were winners on a 0–12 to 0-11 scoreline.[6]
On 11 October 2014, Cavan Gaels faced Kingscourt in another county final, with Murray starting in the full back line. A late Micheál Lyng point secured a one-point win for the Gaels, and Murray's fourth senior championship.[7]
It would be 2017 before Cavan Gaels would reach the county final again. On 8 October, Murray was at full back as they faced Castlerahan, coming out five-point winners.[8] The Gaels would later defeat Lámh Dhearg and Derrygonnelly to reach the Ulster Club final.[9] [10] On 26 November, Murray started at full back as Cavan Gaels faced Slaughtneil in the Ulster final. It was Slaughneil's day as they ran out comfortable winners.[11]
Murray first played for Cavan at minor level, however he had no success at this grade.
Murray later joined the Under-21 team. On 13 April 2011, Murray was at centre forward in the Ulster Final against Tyrone. A first-minute goal from Murray was decisive as Cavan were winners on a 1–10 to 0-10 scoreline.[12]
Cavan defeated Wexford in the All-Ireland semi-final later that week to reach the final against Galway.[13] [14] On 1 May 2011, Murray started at centre forward in the All-Ireland final. Murray scored a point as Cavan fell to a 2–16 to 1–9 defeat.[15]
Murray joined the senior squad after the under-21 success in 2011.[16] On 12 June 2011, Murray made his championship debut at wing back in an Ulster quarter-final defeat by Donegal.[17]
On 3 April 2016, Murray scored a point against Galway in the National League as Cavan earned promotion to the top flight for the first time in 15 years.[18] On 24 April, Murray came off the bench in the Division 2 Final against Tyrone, with Tyrone winning by five points.[19]
On 1 April 2018, Cavan faced Roscommon in the National League Division 2 Final. Murray came on as a substitute in the 4–16 to 4–12 loss.[20]
On 18 May 2019, Murray was in the forward line for the Ulster quarter-final against Monaghan, and scored two points in the 1–13 to 0–12 win.[21] Murray scored five point in both games against Armagh as Cavan reached the Ulster final.[22] [23] On 23 June 2019, Murray started the Ulster final as Cavan lost to Donegal.[24]
In February 2020, it was announced that Murray had undergone surgery for a quad injury and would likely miss the rest of the 2020 season.[25] On 18 October 2020, Murray came on as a substitute in a National League loss to Kildare, his first game for Cavan since his injury.[26] Cavan would go on to reach the Ulster Final for the second consecutive year, facing Donegal on 22 November. Murray came on as a substitute as Cavan claimed their first provincial title in 23 years.[27] Murray again came off the bench in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Dublin.[28]
Cavan faced Tipperary in the National League Division 4 final on 2 April 2022. Murray came on as a late substitute in the one-point win.[29] Murray was an unused substitute later that year as Cavan lost the Tailteann Cup Final to Westmeath.[30]
Murray retired from inter-county football after the 2022 season, having made 93 senior appearances for his county in all competitions.[31]
Cavan
Cavan Gaels