Michael Murphy could make Donegal return against Kerry in League opener

Donegal talisman Michael Murphy is in the frame to start in the county’s opening NFL clash with Kerry in Killarney next Sunday.

He has recovered from a slight hamstring injury and is very much part of his county’s plans for a tough away opener.

Murphy joins Odhran McFadden Ferry, Eoin McHugh and Eoghan McGettigan who are all experienced performers, back in the fold as well as teenage prodigy Finbarr Roarty ahead of the trip down south.

Murphy shocked the GAA world in November 2022 when he announced he was stepping away as he felt he did not have the time to give to the game he has adorned since making his debut for the county in 2007.

“It’s only when I left Armagh that I really thought about proving I could play at a good standard”: Declan Loye of St Mary’s

Errigal Ciarán v Cuala: Match details, throw-in time and how to watch as Errigal Ciarán look to make history against fellow first-timers

Confirming that Murphy would be in contention to start in the clash with the Kingdom, Donegal manager Jim McGuinness said: “Michael’s experience is massive. Michael has to get himself in the right spot.

“He is dangerous and carries a big presence. He’s versatile and has shown that down the years.

“Looking ahead, we have to remain adaptable.

“He’s in that same phase as Odhran McFadden-Ferry, Eoghan McGettigan and those sort of players and It’s about getting them up to a level.”

His last competitive game for the county was the Ulster final defeat to Derry in 2022.

At the time of his departure, Murphy said he had made up his mind after that defeat.

For the past two seasons, he has watched his county emerge from a disastrous year in 2023 to taking their first Ulster title since 2019.

Since McGuinness’s return in 2024, the boss tried to coax back the man who captained the county to an All-Ireland title in 2012 and five Ulster championships.

Initially, Murphy was adamant that he had stepped away for good, however, top-class displays at club level for Glenswilly fuelled speculation that he might be persuaded to return.

However last November it emerged that Murphy (35) had agreed to return to the colours almost exactly two years after he announced his retirement.

Murphy and his teammates now prepare to take on fellow beaten All-Ireland semi-finalists last year, Kerry, with McGuinness fully focused on the set of fixtures ahead.

“We’re going to have seven brilliant games in Division 1 and we need to use those games as well as possible to get as many players in as good a position as possible for Derry [in the Ulster championship],” said McGuinness.

“It’ll never change for us. There’s two championships - the Ulster championship and once that’s over, it’s All-Ireland.”

Murphy has taken GAA media work over the last two seasons which has included TV punditry duty for BBC Sport Northern Ireland and a similar role for the GAAGO streaming service.

In recent months, he has also been part of the Football Review Committee led by Jim Gavin, which has come up with a series of proposed new football playing rules which will be voted on at a Special Congress on 30 November.

These rules include restrictions in the amount of players allowed in both halves which could give Murphy a little more space in attack than he was previously used to at inter-county level.

And given his years, he would not be able to track back as much as in the past when he covered every blade of grass.

“You know the rule changes will help him and we are also glad to have Odhran McFadden/Ferry, Eoin McHugh, Eoghan McGettigan and Finbarr Roarty in the squad also,” said McGuinness.

“A big thing for us is to create more depth in the squad.

“We are just delighted to have Michael back and as a management team, you want to have the best players that are in the county available to you.

“He was one of the best, if not the best player, in the club championship, so right away you are thinking, there is more to come here.”