Michael Murphy will be back on board for Donegal in 2026

Michael Murphy will report for pre-season once again later this month with the news that the ‘Footballer of the Year’ and All-Star nominee is remaining on board with Donegal for 2026.

Jim McGuinness managed to coax his 2012 All-Ireland-winning captain back in from the cold last season after the Glenswilly native had initially decided to hang up his intercounty boots at the tail end of 2022.

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And after being reintroduced against Armagh in the league in Ballybofey back in February, Murphy was instrumental as Donegal held onto their Ulster title with a dramatic extra-time final win over their provincial foes from the Orchard county.

He again impressed in the All-Ireland series as the county qualified for what was only its fourth ever All-Ireland final.

Unfortunately, they’d come out the wrong end of a 1-26 to 0-19 loss to Kerry. Murphy was present at the Abbey Hotel on Saturday night at the official Donegal GAA banquet, where he and his teammates picked up their Ulster medals.

McGuinness addressed the well-attended event and outlined some of his plans for the new season. He explained that he’s drafted in 18 new faces to his extended playing panel on a trial basis as he looks to unearth the next Ciaran Moore or Finnbarr Roarty.

McGuinness is also still in the midst of finalising his rejigged backroom with previous selector Luke Barrett as well as physiotherapists Shane McClean and Joseph O’Donnell, all moving on in the off-season.

Donegal held an executive meeting prior to Monday night’s sitting of county committee but there was no update there on any potential replacements or appointments.

McGuinness and his players can officially meet up once more for collective training on November 21 and can arrange challenge games from December 1 on.

With the Dr McKenna Cup back on the agenda, McGuinness explained at the weekend that he intends to use the pre-season competition to run the rule over those new fringe faces.

“It’s a great opportunity to look at the 18 players that we feel caught the eye in the club championship.

“There are lads with injuries and knocks right now that won’t be involved early on. There are also development-level players who will get an opportunity.

“So we’ll use it like that. We’ll also look to get a few challenge games under our belt. It’s Dublin, Kerry, Mayo, Armagh and Galway in our first five league games.

“They are all big games, great games. Going away to Dublin and Croke Park first day out will be special. They have a new manager there and there will be a lot of energy there.

“We have a lot of work to do. We have to get back on track physically, on an individual level and we have a lot of work to do in regards to the team”.