Michael Murphy (Gaelic footballer)

Michael Murphy (born 4 August 1989) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays as a full forward[2] for Glenswilly and the Donegal county team, which he captains.

Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy scores a penalty against Derry in the 2008 Ulster Senior Football Championship
Personal information
Irish name Mícheál Ó Murchú[1]
Sport Gaelic football
Position Full forward
Born (1989-08-04) 4 August 1989
Letterkenny, County Donegal
Height 6 ft 2[2] in (1.88 m)
Club(s)
Years Club
2006–
 Glenswilly
Club titles
Donegal titles 3
Colleges(s)
Years College
200?–20??
 DCU
College titles
Sigerson titles 1
Inter-county(ies)
Years County Apps (scores)
2007–
 Donegal 151[3] (16–97)
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 5
All-Irelands 1
NFL 1
All Stars 3

Born and raised in north-west Ireland, Murphy's hip was out of place from birth and required surgery at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. After a fast progression through Glenswilly's youth academy, Murphy made his full competitive debut in 2005, having just turned 16, and helped his club reach the Ulster Intermediate Club Football Championship Final that year. He was a member of the team that won his club's first Donegal Senior Football Championship in 2011, and followed this up with two others in 2013 and 2016. Glenswilly also reached the final of the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship in 2013.

A Donegal man, Murphy is his county's all-time leading scorer.[3] At youth level he won an Ulster Minor Football Championship, an Ulster Under-21 Football Championship and contested an All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship final. Murphy made his competitive debut for his county aged 17 in July 2007 and won the All Stars Young Footballer of the Year in 2009. At 21 years old, Murphy received the Donegal captaincy from newly appointed manager Jim McGuinness, who had worked with Murphy the previous season at under-21 level. In doing so he became one of the youngest captains in the team's history. Four successful seasons followed, with Murphy winning two All Stars, three Ulster Senior Football Championships (including two consecutively) and the Sam Maguire Cup, only the second player in the county's history to raise that trophy as team captain. He received the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final man of the match award and his catch from a Karl Lacey pass, turn leaving his marker Kevin Keane clutching at air and rocket strike past David Clarke into the roof of the Mayo net in the opening minutes of that game to set the score at 1-0 to 0-0 earned him the Championship Matters Goal of the Championship. A team decline under the management of McGuinness's deputy and successor Rory Gallagher was followed by two further Ulster Senior Football Championships under Declan Bonner, all of which Murphy had achieved by the age of 30. This brought Donegal's total provincial championships to ten, with the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th of these all coming under Murphy's captaincy.

Though targeted by Australian rules football clubs since 2007, Murphy declined all offers to move abroad, preferring instead to pursue further honours in Gaelic football. He has, however, played for the Ireland international rules football team and captained the 2013 and 2014 teams.

Early life

Michael Murphy was born on 4 August 1989[4] in Letterkenny, the only child of Mick Murphy, a member of the Garda Síochána, and his wife Mary, who worked for the local health service. On his father's side, he has primarily Mayo ancestry.[5]

Born with his hip out of place[6] Murphy underwent surgery at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin after Donegal's defeat to Meath in the 1990 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final.[6] Brought back to the capital city for regular check-ups, one day Murphy asked his father if he could go into Croke Park. A security guard permitted them to enter and the legendary Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh approached them. Ó Muircheartaigh shook the hand of the young Murphy and asked him did he "know the big man – Anthony Molloy?" Murphy said, "I do. He's the captain of Donegal." Murphy, the future captain of Donegal, then walked onto the pitch at Croke Park for the first time, with Ó Muircheartaigh alongside him.[6]

Murphy's childhood hero was Brendan Devenney, whom he later had the opportunity to play alongside during Murphy's early, and Devenney's later, days in a Donegal jersey.[4]

Education

Murphy played for his secondary school St Eunan's College.[7] In 2007, Murphy was a member of the College team that won its fourth McLarnon Cup, and went on to the All-Ireland Colleges Senior Football Championship "B" Final, where they were beaten by a score of 2–12 to 0–14 after extra time by perennial football power St Mary's of Edenderry, Offaly.[8] In 2008, Murphy was involved as his team opted to participate at "A" level, a successful promotion as they advanced as far as the semi-final of the MacRory Cup.[9]

Murphy graduated from Dublin City University (DCU) in 2013 with a degree in physical education with biology,[10][11] While studying there, he shared living space with Paul Flynn and Aidan Walsh, fellow All-Ireland winners with Dublin and Cork, respectively.[12] With the DCU football team Murphy won the 2012 Sigerson Cup, defeating NUI Maynooth in the final.[13] He was hailed after his performance in the 2013 quarter-final knocked UCD out of the competition.[14]

Murphy is also a graduate of the Phoenix Elite Academy.[15]

Club

Murphy was called up to the Glenswilly senior football team in 2005 when he was just turned 16, and helped them reach the Ulster Intermediate Club Football Championship Final. In 2007, aged just 18, he was a key member of the Glenswilly side that had success in the 2007 Donegal Senior Football Championship, beaten only by Naomh Adhamhnáin in the final 0–12 to 1–3. Also, Winning the All county Division Two league that same season.

In 2011, Murphy was part of the Glenswilly team that won its first ever Donegal Senior Football Championship title, defeating Naomh Mícheál by 1–8 to 0–9 in the final.[16] Murphy scored 1–7 of his team's 1–8 total in a Man of the Match performance. With Glenswilly thus progressing to the Ulster Club Championship first round, Murphy scored a crucial goal from the penalty spot as Glenswilly defeated Cavan Gaels by 1–08 to 0–10.[17]

In October 2013, Murphy won his second Donegal Senior Football Championship as Glenswilly defeated Killybegs by 3–19 to 2–6. Murphy scored 1–5 and set up Ciaran Bonner's goal with a deft flick of the heel.[18] Murphy played less than 24 hours after captaining Ireland in the first 2013 International Rules Test win against Australia.[19][20] Glenswilly progressed to the final of that year's Ulster Senior Club Football Championship, which they lost to Ballinderry, despite Murphy opening the scoring with a goal after 25 seconds and later assisting Caolan Kelly for a second.[21][22]

Murphy won a third Donegal SFC in 2016.[23]

Inter-county

Minor and under-21: 2006–2010

Murphy experienced under-age success with Donegal as a member both of Donegal's 2006 Ulster Minor Football Championship-winning side,[24] and 2010 Ulster Under-21 Football Championship-winning side, contributing 1-05 (including two frees) in the final.[25] He then played in the final of the 2010 All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship, which Donegal (managed by Jim McGuinness) narrowly lost to Dublin (managed by Jim Gavin). Murphy scored two frees and battled against future Dublin star Rory O'Carroll.[26]

Early years: 2007–2010
"He came in when he was a minor, and it was obvious how good he was. He was fit to hold his own. He was fit to compete even then at 17 or 18-years-old, and was further on in his development".

– Colm McFadden on Murphy[27]

Murphy made his senior debut for Donegal in January 2007 against UUJ in the Dr McKenna Cup.[2]

At the end of the 2009 season, he received the All Stars Young Footballer of the Year, having scored 36 points in six All-Ireland Senior Football Championship appearances, sixteen of them from play.[28][29]

Jim McGuinness and Donegal captaincy: 2011–2014

In December 2010, the newly appointed Donegal manager Jim McGuinness named Murphy captain ahead of the 2011 season. Succeeding Kevin Cassidy in the role, Murphy became one of the youngest skippers in the county's history.[30] He would go on to become the most successful captain in team history, retaining the role throughout the McGuinness era and under McGuinness's successors.

In 2011, with Donegal breaching four years without any silverware whatsoever, Murphy captained the senior team to the National Football League Division 2 title. He scored 1–3 in his team's 2–11 to 0–16 victory over Laois in the final. Murphy continued his success as captain by leading Donegal to their first Ulster Senior Football Championship title in 19 years, with a win over Derry in Clones, scoring a penalty just after half-time in a 1–11 to 0–08 win.[31] Donegal went on to reach the All-Ireland semi-final, where they suffered a narrow defeat to eventual champions Dublin in an extremely close match.[32]

In 2012, Murphy became the first player to captain Donegal to back-to-back Ulster titles, and later added the All-Ireland title—only the second Donegal captain to lift the Sam Maguire Cup, after Anthony Molloy in 1992. Although Murphy's scoring totals decreased after 2011, McGuinness praised him for his work rate and unselfish play.

Murphy smashed the ball into the Mayo net after three minutes of the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, having collecting a high ball delivered by Karl Lacey.[33] That catch and strike was widely hailed as 2012's iconic score and Goal of the Season.[34] Upon climbing the Hogan Stand after the game, lifting the Sam Maguire Cup and catching his breath, Murphy was handed a microphone to make his speech. He began by bellowing "We have him"—in reference to the Sam Maguire Cup.[33] He ended with a chorus of "Jimmy's winning matches. Jimmy's winning games. Jimmy's bringing Sammy back to Donegal again". GAA President Liam O'Neill later related that Murphy, as they exchanged the Sam Maguire Cup, had offered his condolences on the sudden death of O'Neill's sister the previous day. President O'Neill went on to express his admiration for Murphy and called him an "exceptional young captain".[35]

Murphy won his first All Star and attended the Football Tour of New York.[36]

Murphy opened the 2013 season on 2 February with nine points against Kildare in the opening league game at Croke Park.[37] Analysts praised the skills he displayed throughout that game; at one point in the second half he stretched high into the air to meet a miscalculated free from Paddy McBrearty and gave it an almighty thump with his fist over the bar, while on another occasion he left the Kildare defender stumbling along the ground as he sidestepped him and casually at an angle from distance, with the appearance of little effort whatsoever, kicked the ball over the bar.[38][39] Against Tyrone on 3 March, he scored 3 from 4 of Donegal's points and then, shortly before half-time, having had a penalty saved by TG4 Man of the Match Niall Morgan, Murphy struck out and was issued with a second yellow card by Joe McQuillan. Against Kerry on 10 March, man of the match Murphy dispatched a penalty and five points in Donegal's comfortable victory over the league's whipping boys.[40]

Rory Gallagher and Donegal captaincy: 2014–2017

One of the more memorable moments of 2015 from Murphy was his touch to Ryan McHugh for Donegal's second goal in their Championship victory over Galway at Croke Park. It was considered one of the goals of the season.[41]

In 2017, he was bothered by injuries to the groin and knee.[42]

Declan Bonner and Donegal captaincy: 2017–

He returned in early 2018 to play Dublin in the 2018 National Football League at Croke Park. Described by one commentator as "out-of-form and sluggish", he was commended for staying behind to do extra runs in an empty stadium.[42] He went on to captain Donegal to a win over Fermanagh in the final of the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship.[43] His form in 2018 was considered to be a return to his best.[42]

In January 2019, it was announced that Murphy had undergone knee surgery and would miss the opening fixtures of the 2019 National Football League.[44] He returned against Armagh nearly two months later, scoring a decisive one goal and two points in a substitute appearance that helped his county to a narrow one-point win.[45] Against Kildare in the final round of the league, his presence was critical to the outcome of the match, which ended in Donegal's favour.[46]

Murphy scored 1-07 (including 0-4 in frees) against Kerry in their 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final meeting at Croke Park. The goal was a penalty. As he set himself to take that penalty, a line of stewards in neon-coloured coats walked behind the goal.[4] Murphy had the ball past the Kerry goalkeeper before he had a chance to move. This was Murphy's 150th match for Donegal, and his 53rd as captain.[3]

In the 2020 National Football League, Murphy endured two Dublin players "hanging out of him" in their one-point loss to the five-times reigning All-Ireland champions at Croke Park. Analysts on League Sunday condemned the "cynicism" from Dublin, "the way they closed out the game", and called for it "to be stamped out". RTÉ.ie stated: "On Saturday evening at Croke Park we were served up another undedifying [sic] denouement".[47]

Inter-provincial

Murphy has played for Ulster in the Inter-Provincial Series.[48]

International rules

Murphy travelled to Australia for an under-17 international rules series in 2006, despite being a year underage. He has been the target of Australian rules football clubs since 2007, but had refused all offers until 2009,[49] when he was reported to be considering a move. However, in 2010 he said that he had turned down a move and was not considering it in the future.[50]

Murphy made his first appearance for Ireland against Australia in the 2010 International Rules Series. In 2011, he travelled to Australia for his second series where he played an integral part of Ireland's record aggregate 130–65 win.[51][52] Murphy was considered to be one of Ireland's best performers, finishing as joint-second top scorer with 19 points overall, including the opening goal in the first test. He was named as captain of the Irish team for the 2013 Series.[53] He led Ireland to a record-breaking victory.[54]

Murphy was again named as captain of the Irish team for 2014.[55]

Player profile

Style of play

A prodigious talent as a teenager, Murphy established himself among the sport's best players before the age of 20. While attending St Eunan's College and playing for the school team, opponents were already hailing him as the best young footballer in the country and likening him to Roald Dahl's Big Friendly Giant for the manner in which he could bundle county minor players aside and leave them poleaxed on the ground.[56] Future Tyrone star Mattie Donnelly described Murphy as "the strongest person I have ever come up against on a football pitch" and remarked, years after encountering a 17 year-old Murphy at schoolboy level: "He just grabbed me and you couldn't move, like... I have to admit I think he was on one leg that night. They were peppering every ball in on top of him. I think he got five frees that night, I might have fouled him for all five of them."[57]

While attending Dublin City University and playing for its football team in the Sigerson Cup, Murphy's style of play, his skill, intensity and dominance over other players earned him comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.[58]

Reception

Murphy is reserved and unassuming, an unremarkable man outside of football. His modesty has been remarked upon.[58]

When Murphy mentioned on The Sunday Game that his childhood hero had been Brendan Devenney, he informed Devenney in advance of his wish for him to watch the programme. Devenney was thrilled, later recalling: "And that was back when Michael was already the fuckin' man! The fact that he has called me his hero is, probably, the most humbling thing that anyone has ever said to me".[4]

Comparisons to Mark English

Murphy is widely regarded as County Donegal's greatest ever athlete in any sport. RTÉ athletics analyst Jerry Kiernan disputes this and stated in 2014 that Mark English was better than Murphy, saying: "[Murphy] is playing against lads from Monaghan. Mark English is running against Kenyans".[59] Following English's bronze medal in the 800 metres at the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships on 3 March 2019, Kiernan went even further by saying English was Ireland's "greatest talent" ever in middle-distance running.[60][61]

Outside football

In a 2011 interview with the GAA website, Murphy listed as - among his other interests - reading, watching television, playing Xbox and listening to the music of Mumford & Sons and Snow Patrol.[2]

In October 2018, Murphy joined Donegal Junior League soccer side Lagan Harps during his winter break from club and county duties.[62]

Murphy's 30th birthday was marked by Ireland's national media.[4]

In 2020, he was reported to be doing a course in sports and exercise psychology at Jordanstown.[63]

Business

In conjunction with teammate Neil Gallagher, Murphy opened his own sports store, "Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure", in Letterkenny in August 2014.[64]

Advocacy and ambassadorial roles

Murphy has participated in a marketing campaign for Ireland West Airport Knock.[65] Less than a week after the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, Murphy attended the 2014 Ryder Cup in Perthshire, Scotland.[66] He has been active in encouraging people to read more books.[67] He met Prince Harry and wife at Croke Park in 2018.[68]

In 2019, Murphy was elected to the national executive of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).[69]

Television work

Murphy appeared in the documentary The Toughest Trade in 2017. He exchanged places with rugby star Shane Williams and spent a week at French rugby team Clermont, while Williams joined up with Murphy's club Glenswilly.[70]

In 2017, Murphy appeared in a street Gaelic football film created by Peil Star with Charlie Vernon from Armagh. The film was shot in Omagh for the BBC.[71]

Murphy worked as an analyst for eirSport during their coverage of the 2017 Donegal Senior Football Championship semi-final between Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill.[72] He made his debut as an analyst on The Sunday Game for the night-time broadcast of highlights of the 2018 All-Ireland semi-final meeting of Monaghan and Tyrone on 12 August 2018.[73][70] His debut was received positively by viewers and reviewers alike, with one noting: "It shouldn't come as much of a surprise to learn that Murphy is competent in front of the camera. The man can do just about anything. Clearly prepared, the Letterkenny native spoke honestly, eloquently and fastidiously".[74] Murphy returned to The Sunday Game on the night of the 2018 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final.[75] He also appeared on the night of the 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final drawn game between Dublin and Kerry.

Murphy appeared as a guest on 2020's second episode of The Sunday Game when play was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[76][77]

Honours and achievements

Inter-county

Donegal

Youth

Inter-provincial

Ulster
  • Railway Cup: 2009

International

Ireland

Club

Glenswilly

College

Dublin City University

Individual
From a single game
  • All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final Man of the Match: 2012[94]
  • Ulster Senior Football Championship Final Man of The Match: 2011
  • Donegal Senior Football Championship Final Man of The Match: 2011, 2013, 2016

Records

Donegal
  • Donegal all-time top scorer: ??-??[3]

See also

References
  1. "Two changes for clash with Roscommon". Donegal News. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. "Up Close and Personal with...Michael Murphy". GAA.ie. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  3. McNulty, Chris (20 July 2019). "Murphy: 'I'm still that six, seven, eight-year-old puling[sic] on the Donegal jersey'". Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  4. Kissane, Sinéad (2 August 2019). "As a landmark birthday looms, 30 reasons why Michael Murphy is a modern great". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  5. "Donegal captain Michael Murphy says his family will be divided on All-Ireland final day". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  6. Foley, Alan (21 September 2012). "Donegal sons – and their Mayo fathers". Irish Examiner. Thomas Crosbie Holdings. Retrieved 21 September 2012. Mick Murphy, a native of a Corrimbla just outside of Ballina, was initially stationed in Burnfoot before being moved onto Buncrana and then Letterkenny. 'I loved Inishowen but there was one huge problem', he says. 'No Gaelic. The Troubles had a big effect on Gaelic in a place like Inishowen.' ... He soon moved to Bomany, just outside of Letterkenny. He and his wife Mary had a baby boy in 1989. 'When Michael was born his hip was out of place and it meant, unless it was operated on before he turned three, he would have a permanent limp,” Murphy explains. “We took him to the Mater the day after the 1990 All-Ireland semi-final, which Donegal lost to Meath.' Having seen his only son spend months in a plaster, Mick Murphy took Michael regularly to Dublin for check-ups after that plaster was removed. One day in particular, when Michael was maybe four or five, sticks out in Mick’s memory. 'We were driving past the old Croke Park', he says. 'Michael asked could we not go in and I thought, 'why not?'. The ground was closed but I had a word with a security guard. He waved us in. Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh came out and went over to Michael and shook his hand, asking him, since he was from Donegal, did he 'know the big man — Anthony Molloy?' He couldn't have asked a better question. Michael loved Anthony Molloy. I do. He's the captain of Donegal,' Michael replied. Mícheál took Michael out on the pitch, which was very nice of him.'
  7. "Twitter feed". St Eunan's College. EunansFootball Best of luck 2our past pupils who r in Donegal panel v Cork in All Ire Semi-final on Sun @neilgerardgalla @murphm95 @AntoinMcFadden @Tommyk_91 @BrickMolloy @123kav @kevin_raff @gmacfadden14 @mdboyler24 +Mr McFadden #TheCollege
  8. "St. Eunan's through to semi-final". Donegal Democrat. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013. St Eunan's, who last won the competition in 2007 when Michael Murphy was the driving force, are back in with a chance.
  9. Ferry, Ryan (30 January 2020). "St Eunan's College take on Patrician in MacRory play-off". Donegal News. p. 73.
  10. "Michael Murphy – Vodafone GAA Young Footballer of the Year". Dublin City University. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
  11. "Men's Senior Football – Player Profiles". DCU GAA. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013.
  12. Scully, Michael (29 May 2013). "Paul Flynn on his graveyard walks ahead of turning out for Dublin". Mirror. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  13. "DCU take Sigerson Cup". Breaking News.ie. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  14. Boyle, Donnchadh (15 February 2013). "Magician Murphy leaves 13-man UCD spellbound". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  15. "Donegal star inspires a new generation". Hogan Stand. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013. Patrick is just one of a number of elite senior County players who have previously attended the Ulster GAA Elite Academy. Others include fellow Donegal star Michael Murphy, Tyrone's Peter Harte and Antrim hurling captain Neil McManus.
  16. "Murphy magic proves key as Glenswilly secure first Donegal crown". Irish Independent. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  17. Carney, Kevin (17 October 2011). "Murphy strikes to steal victory for Glenswilly: Glenswilly (Donegal) 1–8 Cavan Gaels (Cavan) 0–10". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  18. "Watch: Michael Murphy's magical piece of skill". Hogan Stand. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  19. "Murphy follows up Ireland heroics by firing Glenswilly to county glory". Irish Independent. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  20. "As it happened: Ireland v Australia, International Rules". The42.ie. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  21. "Ballinderry 1–13 Glenswilly 2-06". RTÉ Sport. 1 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  22. "Live: Glenswilly v Ballinderry Shamrocks Ulster senior club final". Donegal Now. 1 December 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  23. "Donegal SFC final: Murphy leads by example". Hogan Stand. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  24. "Second-half surge sees Donegal end long title wait". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 10 July 2006.
  25. "Ulster U21FC: Murphy leads Donegal to title". Hogan Stand. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  26. O'Toole, Fintan (6 April 2013). "Remember the last time that Jim Gavin managed against Jim McGuinness?: The opposing managers in tomorrow's Division 1 league tie in Ballybofey have come face to face before". The42.ie. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  27. Scott, Ronan (19 March 2020). "Donegal legend McFadden recalls impact made by Jim McGuinness". Gaelic Life. Retrieved 19 March 2020. Also published as "Colm Rain or Shine" in the Donegal News of the same date, 19 March 2020: pp 50–53.
  28. "Magnificent seven put cap on a memorable year for Kerry". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. 17 October 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
  29. "Murphyis". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  30. "Michael Murphy chosen to captain Donegal next season". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 December 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  31. "Donegal 1–11 Derry 0-08". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  32. "Dublin 0-08 Donegal 0-06". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  33. "Live updates from the All-Ireland finals at Croke Park". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  34. Roche, Frank (24 September 2012). "Dazzling Donegal's day". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012. Murphy's majestic catch and strike will go down as the iconic score of 2012, not to mention Goal of the Season, but that won't stop morose Mayo fans wondering 'what if?' Ger Cafferkey had been handed the man-marking job instead of Kevin Keane.
  35. "President praises Murphy for gesture". Hogan Stand. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  36. McNulty, Chris (13 November 2012). "Replacement All-Star for Thompson". Donegal News. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  37. "HS Football Team of the Week". Hogan Stand. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  38. Keys, Colm (5 February 2013). "McGuinness hails Murphy's show of leadership". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  39. "Murphy: it's not about me". Hogan Stand. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  40. "Murphy leaves Kerry 'staring down barrel'". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  41. Bailey, Ryan (1 August 2015). "Goal of the championship? Michael Murphy's hand of god carves Galway apart". the42. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  42. Brosnan, Maurice (21 July 2018). "Watch: Phenomenal Michael Murphy Back To His Best For Donegal". Balls.ie. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  43. Mooney, Francis (24 June 2018). "Energetic Donegal end Fermanagh's Ulster title dream". RTÉ Sport. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  44. "Knee surgery keeps Michael Murphy out to second half of league". Highland Radio. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  45. "Michael Murphy's return proves decisive as Donegal edge Armagh to reignite promotion push". Irish Independent. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  46. Branigan, Peter (24 March 2019). "Murphy masterclass fires Donegal back to top flight". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  47. "McConville: Dublin are 'cynical' when closing out games". RTÉ Sport. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  48. "Murphy to spearhead Ulster challenge". Hogan Stand. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  49. Craig, Frank (24 September 2009). "'Murphy firmly on my radar'- Nixon". Donegal Post. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  50. Kelly, Liam (28 April 2010). "Murphy rebuffs Nixon: Donegal ace has no intention of leaving for AFL". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  51. Lonergan, J P (4 November 2011). "Ireland better Australians again". Setanta Sports. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  52. "Ireland stroll to Rules series win over Australia". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  53. "Manager Paul Earley names Michael Murphy as Ireland captain for Rules series". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  54. "Paul Earley hails Ireland's ruthless streak against Australia". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 27 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  55. "Michael Murphy to captain Ireland in Australia". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  56. McCann, Ryan (23 August 2012). "The day I ran into Michael Murphy". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  57. Keys, Colm (1 September 2018). "'The most difficult thing was saying no to Mickey' - Mattie Donnelly on why he stepped away from Tyrone for two years". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 1 September 2018. Donnelly's versatility has taken him to every line of the field, even full-back, where he was regularly deployed for man-marking duties with a strong St Michael's College team in the last decade. "I played a lot of football in the half-back line back then, but we were playing a St Pat's Maghera team at the time that had a big man in at full-forward and Dom Corrigan thought we needed someone to deal with that aerial threat," he explains. "And then it just so happened that we were meeting Michael Murphy's team in the semi-final and I was kept back in there for him as well..."
  58. "'Messi' Murphy's wonder point helps DCU reach Sigerson semi-final". Donegal Daily. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013. The GAA's equivalent of Messi or Ronaldo left fans open-mouthed when he flicked the ball over Dublin star Rory O'Carroll before connecting with the outside of his right boot for the point in the 35th minute.
  59. "Forget GAA, English is greatest sportsman in Donegal - Kiernan". 21 April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019.
  60. "Bronze medal for Ireland as Mark English grabs third in European Indoor 800m final". 3 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  61. McNulty, Chris (6 March 2019). "Jerry Kiernan says Mark English is the 'greatest ever' talent in Irish middle-distance running". Archived from the original on 7 May 2019.
  62. Campbell, Peter (19 October 2018). "BREAKING: Donegal GAA captain Michael Murphy joins Donegal Junior Soccer League side Lagan Harps". Donegal Democrat. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  63. Fogarty, John (8 May 2020). "Championship format doesn't bother Donegal captain Murphy". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  64. Foley, Alan (15 August 2014). "Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure opens its doors in Letterkenny". Donegal Democrat. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  65. "Donegal GAA stars join forces as Ambassadors for Ireland West Airport Knock". Donegal Democrat. Johnston Press. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  66. "Jimmy's still swinging matches at the Ryder Cup!". Donegal Daily. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Bryan Cullen
(Dublin)		 All-Ireland Senior Football Final
winning captain
2012		 Succeeded by
Stephen Cluxton
(Dublin)
Preceded by
Kevin Nolan
(Dublin)		 All-Ireland Senior Football Final
Man of the Match
2012		 Succeeded by
Bernard Brogan
(Dublin)
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Kevin Cassidy		 Donegal Senior Football Captain
2011 – present		 Succeeded by
incumbent
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