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Michael Murphy: Former Donegal All-Ireland winning captain performs retirement u-turn
Michael Murphy has stunned the GAA world by coming out of inter-county retirement and is set to feature for Donegal once again in 2025.
Almost exactly two years ago, Murphy announced his retirement from the county game, aged 33, a decision that many felt was premature given the importance to the Donegal cause.
When Jim McGuinnness took over as Donegal boss last autumn, the rumour mill went into overdrive, but McGuinness was unable to convince his former All-Ireland skipper to return to the fold.
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Over the course of the last two seasons, Murphy has worked as a pundit and co-commentator for BBC NI, but he’ll put his media work on hold after finally being coaxed out of retirement.
Murphy made his Donegal debut back in 2007 and won five Ulster titles and one All-Ireland in 2012 and he is regarded as one of the best forwards in the history of Ulster football.
He also captained Ireland twice during the International Rules Series in 2013 and 2014 and was recently part of Jim Gavin’s Football Review Committee.
Indeed, it could be the prospect of playing under the new rules that led to a change of heart for Murphy with the FRC’s proposals set to be voted on at Special Congress on November 30.
Either way, his return is a massive boost for the Ulster champions, who narrowly lost out to Galway in this year’s All-Ireland semi-finals.
Donegal’s first competitive game next season will be against Kerry in Killarney on Sunday, January 26 while they will face Derry in the first round of the 2025 Ulster SFC.
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