Michael Murphy Retires from Intercounty

Blub123

Massive loss

Thanks to the man for some of the best of days.

Depressed.

Furze99

Age takes no prisoners. And good luck to him in the future.

castletownman

One of the very best ever, would walk into any team from any era, and is a shoo-in on the best 15 of my lifetime. So consistent, did the simple things so well and was an absolute man mountain at his peak. I will say his powers looked to have waned in the last year or two (including some uncharacteristic misses), but that happens when you have operated at such a high level for so long.

One of my favourite ever players. All the best in retirement.

megadodge

It's always sad to see a great player retire. For me personally it's often accompanied by "Goddamn it, why didn't I take the chance to see him live more often".

I only saw Murphy play live a few times but what a player. And what a specimen!! I first saw him up close when he came on against Kildare in Croke Park on a double bill (probably 2011) and I was genuinely shocked at the sheer bulk of the man. He was absolutely massive. At the time he probably had the biggest thighs I ever saw, but he was still very athletic.

His early goal in the 2012 final is still one of my favourite ever goals. It's just so spectacular. And decisive. It sent out the message to the world that this was going to be Donegal's day. No choking or sob stories here.

Anyway, I hope he enjoys his retirement, he's certainly earned it.

Sweet Talkin Romeo

what a legend the man is!

nuff said :)

retalivity

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119882962#Comment_119882962

He's only 33 though. Sure, he probably has more miles on the clock than most, being a mainstay of the Donegal team for 12 years or so, but would undoubtedly still be competitive for a few more years. Anyway, he's made his decision, good luck to him in the future and will surely be back in a management capacity down the line.

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119883257#Comment_119883257

I think he had a lot of niggly injuries. Big loss to Donegal.

thebronze14

Massive loss for him but it may be the right time I feel. A new start is needed but I would love to see him on the background staff. He is the best footballer that we have ever had and was one of the best of his generation. A true legend

FrancieBrady

Great player and leader on the pitch. Sickened many in his day. Happy retirement.

kevthegaff

Wouldn't have seen much of him, but was watching a game only 2 or 3 years ago and just realised how good he was,.

keeponhurling

Maybe he could have contributed something next season, but he hasn't been at the level of his peak for a few years now. He's much less mobile, and with niggly injuries it's probably the right time to focus on the club.

Fantastic career and a great player. Incredibly accurate kicker, and from any sort of distance.

Tombo2001

When he flicked the ball to Ryan McHugh against Galway, one of the most brilliant things I've ever seen in any sport.

TagoMago

Brilliant player, I'd say Kevin Keane is still having nightmares of that final 😂

In 2012 Donegal had a number of players playing at a very high level but in other years Murphy carried them, great skillset for a man of his size and brilliant leader

henke

Unbelievable player and devastated as a Donegal person but sure we always knew the day would come. He could have went on another few years I am sure operating at FF but to be fair he has played a lot of football. Remember he was a teen prodigy before Donegal had success and won Young Player of the Year in 2009 in a team who weren't challenging and was a prolific scorer at that time. Literally would have started for any County team in the last 20 years. Shame only the only All Ireland came at 23 years old but its more than most achieve and goes down as one of the most successful as well as greatest in Donegal's history. I wouldn't bet against him adding to that success and managing Donegal to honours down the line. Happy retirement.

TipsyMcStagge

One of the best I've ever seen a beautiful footballer took some abuse over the years and gave out his fair share no doubt as well. He's been absolutely criminally mismanaged over the last few years a sad end to a great career.

bucketybuck

I have always considered it a great shame that Donegal used Murphy as a clogger out the field when he would have been one of the greatest ever full forwards had he been left in there to play. Everybody remembers that goal in the AI final, but we were robbed of seeing more examples of that over the years.

His scoring record was always well below par for a man of his talent but that wasn't all his fault, it was a consequence of spending his time out the field doing donkey work for defensive set ups.

I just think its a shame, there will always be lads who can do donkey work, far harder to find lads in the full forward line who would basically be unmarkable. I'd much rather have seen that Michael Murphy than the one we got.

Loafing Oaf

Who is the best Michael Murphy, there's an Alan Partridge question

keeponhurling

Always confusing when people spoke of M.Murphy's "Winning Streak" in Ulster

TipsyMcStagge

Donegal have won 2 All Ireland's and 10 Ulsters in their history Michael Murphy was there for half of both and Glenswilly won 3 county championships which he played in all 3 that says it all really.

keeponhurling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119890363#Comment_119890363

To add, he was actually captain for 5 of Donegal's total 10 Ulster titles.

And he was Man of the Match in all 3 winning county finals for Glenswilly.