Adam Murphy has been tipped to bounce back from his injury hell and make a name for himself in the senior game.
The former Belvedere youth star was handed a first League of Ireland start in St Pat’s clash with Dundalk on Friday.
He stepped in for midfield ace Chris Forrester who was ill and was the best player on the pitch for the opening 21 minutes until he pulled his hamstring.
It’s not the first time Murphy - who turned 17 that day - has struggled with hamstring issues and he was visibly upset as he was being helped off the pitch.
Saints boss Tim Clancy said: “Adam is an explosive kid and the quickest player we have at the club in all the testing.
“I was never blessed with pace so I don't know what that's like but he’s very explosive and that’s an issue with players who are quick.
“It's certainly not from a lack of preparation or the physical side of it because he's an exceptional professional for someone who is in fifth year at school.
“If it's something he needs to be helped with, we'll certainly do that.”
Clancy continued: “He's a very strong kid as well, looks after himself and does everything right.
“He was disappointed as it was his 17th birthday, he started the game and he did really well.
“We'll see how it is as it’s too early to say. But I feel for him as he's champing at the bit after two sub appearances and his first start.
“But he’ll have many, many more games at senior level.”
Murphy is not the online school-going member of the Saints regular first-team squad with James Abankwah - on loan from Udinese - preparing for his Leaving Cert.
It’s a juggling act for Clancy who added: “It's hard because the two lads were also away with Ireland 17s and 19s and both missed training last week for school.
“But I'm a manager who is big on players getting their education so it's not something we would even attempt to interfere with.”
Meanwhile, Clancy expects Forrester to be available for Friday’s clash with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
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