DONEGAL are lucky according to Michael Murphy.
Lucky that Rory Gallagher was available to take over where Jim McGuinness left off and the fact the Tir Chonaill squad are back in the Ulster SFC final yet again bears out the skipper’s thinking.
“We were lucky to have Rory available to step in when Jim stepped out,” said Murphy.
“Rory is a very good administrator and reader of a game. He has just carried on where Jim left off and we are back in the Ulster final.”
Murphy has also carried on where he left off last year with more top-class performances and his eye-catching shows have earned him yet another award as he closes in on Peter Canavan’s record of winning six UGAAWA Monthly Merit Awards.
The Donegal skipper is named as the Quinn Products Ulster GAA Writers’ winner for June after starring in his team’s defeat of Armagh and Derry in the Ulster SFC.
When things were tight the captain’s leadership shone and his superb free-taking was eye-catching. He has now won the award five times.
From right, centre or left and from various distances he rifled over free-kicks to add precious points to Donegal’s scoring tally with some of those points coming at crucial stages of the games.
“I have missed a few free kicks, too,” he said.
“But thankfully some important ones did go over. All I do is put the ball down, kick it and hope that it goes over the bar.”
Those victories over Armagh and Derry have landed Donegal into another Ulster final battle against Monaghan but Murphy is not entirely happy with the form the defending champions are showing.
“We definitely need to improve big time,” he said.
“Monaghan is a fine side and they will be on home turf. It’s a big game for both teams. We are facing a big battle.”
The Donegal panel has changed in personnel over the past year or so with new faces drifting in, something that Murphy is happy about.
“The younger players coming in helps to balance the side and it makes for serious competition for places. We are also getting good performances from the older lads who are showing their experience and leadership. The mix is good,” he aid.
Murphy received his award at his sports shop in Letterkenny.
This time, he had to stave off strong claims from the likes of Conor McManus, county compatriot Yvonne McMonagle, who bagged 6-5 in a ladies’ Ulster championship clash, and Eoin Donnelly, who starred with Fermanagh against Monaghan.
Murphy’s award includes an engraved Belleek Living vase, specially crafted silver cufflinks from Carlingford Design House, training gear from O’Neills International Sports, a medical kit bag from 3FiveTwo and two tickets plus overnight accommodation for the UGAAWA 2015 banquet at the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran on November 13.
