 After seeing the success of his cousin and after coming through a good experience sparring with ""Shamrock"" Shea Neary this convinced Murray that he had the skills to become a professional.Murray then turned professional in November 2001, winning his first fight at the National Boxing Arena in Dublin, in which Murray beat fellow debutant Paul McIlwaine on a card that included Steve Collins and Eamonn Magee.Both novices showed that they lacked but also showed their grit and determination in this scrappy and untidy bout.