Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Albert Perez/Football Queensland

Palm Beach SC have confirmed skipper Justyn McKay and defender Eoghan Murphy will return for the 2015 PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland season.

Playmaker McKay, 28, and Murphy, 19, were consistent contributors to Sharks’ Premiership and Grand Final titles in 2014, combining for 42 league appearances as well as being key cogs in the club’s Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Final run.

Re-signing the pair took on extra importance following the recently confirmed departures of Troy Ruthven and Chris Lucas to PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria club Bentleigh Greens.

McKay acknowledged a different approach may be required in 2015 now his partnership with Ruthven has concluded in the centre of the Sharks formation.

“Troy was a good foil for myself. He was good on the ball and his distribution was great,” McKay said.

“But I also think nobody at our level is irreplaceable. I’m sure we’ll be able to find someone to come in and do a similar job to what Troy did last season.”

McKay added that he was also confident recently re-signed striker Jarrod Kyle will provide the necessary fire power up front.

“He’s a different style of player to Chris Lucas but every time he has come in he has proven he can score goals, but we might have to change our style slightly,” he said.

2014 Under 18 players Ethan Grimley and Ben Butler have also been promoted to the Sharks first team set-up for next season.

McKay said the pair demonstrated in their combined 15 senior appearances last year that they have what it takes to be important squad members in 2015.

“They both had a sniff at first team football last year coming off the bench and they held themselves well,” he explained.

“Training week-in, week-out with us can only help them with their sharpness and their confidence.”

Despite the successes of their 2014 campaign, McKay conceded that replicating last year's showing will prove difficult.

“It’s going to be harder because second time around other teams will think they have us worked out, so we may need a Plan B, C or D at times.”

“But if we can’t embrace the challenge then we shouldn’t be playing really, so it’s something that we are looking forward to,” he concluded.

Further signings for the 2015 season are expected to be confirmed by Sharks later this week.