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24th February 2018
03:52pm GMT

'In 2013, while on the Lions tour to Australia, coach Gareth Jenkins noticed Murray sticking around after training to practice his goal-kicking with the likes of Johnny Sexton and Leigh Halfpenny,' SportsJOE's Patrick McCarry wrote about the slog and sacrifices that have gone into Murray's game. 'It was something he has always done for Munster. 'Jenkins, who kicked the Lions to a series victory against South Africa in 1997, was so impressed by Murray's technique that he advised him to seriously consider it as an option in matches. The following season saw him lap over two conversions in a Guinness PRO12 win over Edinburgh.'
32 minutes are on the clock, Ireland are pushing again. They're pushing because Conor Murray isn't standing back in awe of New Zealand. He isn't playing the jersey or the occasion. He's right up in the opposition faces and he wins the ball back for Ireland and forces them onto the front foot.
It comes back to him and, with one dummy and dropped shoulder of nothing but pure respect for his own talent, he bursts for the try line with seven Irish subs in gold bibs jumping manically to greet him beneath the posts.
https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/795005926520619009
Five minutes left and the pressure is palpable. Ireland are just four points to the good and haven't scored since Murray's penalty. Many a good side has crumbled like this. You can take the All Blacks so far but if you don't kill them off, they will more than likely devour you at some stage.
Too many countries have had the same hard luck story and, once again, despite what has been a monumental display from the Irish, we're doubting ourselves. We're looking on through the cracks in our fingers wondering if New Zealand will spare us or kill us but Conor Murray is not waiting on what the bloody opposition wants to do.
He's playing this game on another level entirely and it is inspiring to just catch a glimpse of this man committed so wholly to one game of rugby as if nothing else in the whole world matters. If ever a performance summed up what tuned in and wired to the high heavens meant, this was it because Murray was on it and then some.
Ireland concede possession for territory in the 75th minute but New Zealand look to launch quickly through the hands and it is terrifying to watch on at how many green bodies have committed themselves. Julian Savea gets on the ball and a nation and however many Americans calling themselves Irish hold their collective breath.
Bang.
Savea is stopped dead at the source.
He's hit with all the frightening momentum of 95kg of Munster's finest and he's tossed to the turf by one possessed number nine playing rugby in a different dimension.
https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/795030072558256130
They call Savea 'The Bus' in New Zealand. Well, Conor Murray caught the bus and he crashed it on its f**king side.
It summed up everything that was good about Ireland on one historic day in Chicago. It summed up the steel, the aggression, the mental application and the belief. It summed up Conor Murray and what was one of the all-time great performances.
A performance of talent. One of balls. And one of heart.
The former Garryowen man laid it all on the line on November 5 and he showed Ireland, New Zealand, and the entire world the very best of what this country has to offer. He showed everyone what Conor Murray is about.
He showed them all why he could just be the greatest number nine on the planet.
This was a special day. He is a special player.
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