Murphy praises ‘inspirational’ match winner Ciaran Moore

Donegal star Michael Murphy was full of compliments for the young players after Sunday’s win All-Ireland Group stage win, particularly for the scorer of the match-winning point, Ciaran Moore.

It was another brilliant performance from Murphy against Mayo, as he ended with five points and the Man of the Match award.

While Donegal may have known that Tyrone were well ahead of Cavan, meaning first place was out of reach for Jim McGuinness’ men, but they would avoid finishing last due to their head-to-head records.

But with the final day approaching, all four teams in the group had their place in the knockouts on the line, and Ciaran Moore’s late point ended Mayo’s hopes of advancing.

“The word jeopardy is probably the most used word in the GAA over the last couple of years and that was there,” Murphy said after the match.

“It was going to be a tough time, Mayo were fighting for their lives and we were fighting for our lives, and that game went down to the absolute wire near the end it could have went any way.

“The character shown by some of our younger lads there today was phenomenal. Caolan McColgan at corner back and Ciaran Moore in that last play of the game was just inspirational.”

While Donegal led for long periods of the game, they were made to work hard to get a result in the end as Mayo hit back with a goal from David McBrien.

But they got back ahead and Murphy felt that their previous matches in the championship this year helped to get them over the line in Roscommon.

“We’ve been getting these games all year, from the first round of Ulster against Derry, we got it against Monaghan, Down and we certainly got it against Armagh.

“Those games throughout the year stood to us, and going down the straight we were able to close it out and get what we needed.

“Shaun Patton used his composure to get his kick-outs away. Jason McGee came in there and made a big play and took a big hit.

“Dáire Ó Baoill coming off the bench was really good and we needed everyone out there.

“That game was the epitome of everything that’s good in GAA right down to the very end.

“The group was up for grabs in what positions and places everything was in, but it’s good to get the win to get us through and on to next week.”