McGinley: Murphy in store for a season of cameos
RTÉ GAA analyst Enda McGinley believes Donegal manager Jim McGuinness is working with the idea of using Michael Murphy as an impact substitute rather than a starter when the 2026 season really kicks into gear.
The Glenswilly man made a surprise return to the intercounty scene last year and went on to start all 11 of Donegal's championship games as they made it all the way to the All-Ireland final where Kerry proved too strong.
Like on his comeback in 2025, Murphy is being eased back into league action with just 41 minutes racked up over the first three rounds.
However, three-time All-Ireland winner McGinley believes that Murphy's championship journey will follow a different path to last year over the coming months.
"It has to be the way McGuinness is thinking," McGinley, speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, said of a potential impact role for the 36-year-old.
"Games are decided coming down the stretch, you need your big players, you need a lift. The big swings in games, the momentum, things that can happen midway through second halves, you need a really top player coming onto that pitch with 20 minutes to go.
"With Murphy’s age profile, with what he means to Donegal, with what he means to his players, his experience, his ability to kick two-pointers – all of those things coming down the stretch – as long as he (McGuinness) has other players all playing well then absolutely I think he’ll hold Murphy for that crucial 20, 25 minutes."
Donegal’s last - and only - Division 1 crown came back in 2007 a few weeks before Murphy was recalled to the senior panel as a 17-year-old having made his debut in the McKenna Cup at the start of that year.
His immediate attention then turned to minor matters before returning to Brian McIver's squad ahead of the All-Ireland qualifiers, meaning he missed out on that league final triumph over Mayo and leaves his packed CV short of one particular national title.
That could change in the very near future. Sunday’s win, also against the Connacht side, made it three from three and unlike last year, it seems unlikely that the handbrake will be pulled up to focus on the championship.
McGinley is blown away by their options with last year’s Young Footballer of the Year Finnbarr Roarty again catching the eye against Mayo while Conor McCahill also impressed on his first league start for the Tir Chonaill County.
He also feels that McGuinness' constant faith in youth is being repaid - just like it was in his first spell in charge of Donegal.
"I think that’s one of McGuinness’ most impressive things," McGinley continued.
"He gave Michael Murphy the captaincy ridiculously young too, that didn’t work out too badly, he brought in (Paddy) McBrearty really, really young.
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"He’s played his 17, 18-year-olds in McKenna Cup games so even though he has a well established team there, he’s somebody that continually gambles, gives chances to lads at 17, 18 years of age.
"You’d think in the modern game, with the conditioning, it’s a bigger step up than ever. Now, maybe he’s just lucky with the hand he’s been dealt, they’re all remarkable footballers the ones we’ve talked about, but he’s repeatedly done it and he’s doing it again this year.
Conor McCahill is the latest Donegal youngster making his mark
"The Roarty thing, obviously he’s a stunning defender but Conor McCahill yesterday, when I saw he was still doing his Leaving Cert, that’s phenomenal.
"Not that he needs another way to impress people or show his strengths as a manager, but it’s certainly one of them."
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