Murphy: I stepped away from Donegal as ‘energy levels were just zapped at time’ 

Michael Murphy says his original retirement decision in late 2022 was simply down to the fact he felt he was running on empty. 

Having debuted for Donegal way back in 2007 at just 17 years of age, the Glenswilly legend believed his time had finally come. 

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Jim McGuinness, Murphy’s 2012 All-Ireland winning boss, came back into the equation in 2023 but Murphy resisted quiet overtures made behind the scenes for him to reverse his previous decision. 

But watching on as McGuinness and his former teammates won Ulster and made it all the way to that season’s All-Ireland semi-final, the player performed the most welcome of U-turns. 

Picking up his fourth All-Star on Friday night at the RDS in Dublin, Murphy says a refreshed mind and body meant last term’s success exceeded even his wildest expectations. 

“When I initially retired, it was because I’d felt the energy levels were just zapped,” he explained. “Coming back in, the expectations were set fairly low and modest. 

“I just wanted to contribute in any way I could to the group. To be back playing in Croke Park again is something I thought I’d never do. 

“I was just very fortunate and grateful that I was able to contribute the game time I was able to. I didn’t think for one minute I’d be able to carry that out”. 

Murphy also confirmed that 2025 wasn’t a ‘one and done’ deal and that he will be back in the green and gold once more next term. 

“That’s the plan - to go back at it. I’ll see how that goes. Last year, I wanted to see if I could give five minutes towards it or ten minutes towards it. It will be the exact same in 2026. 

“Division 1, the Ulster championship, we’ll all mad to play in that. So let’s see where that takes us”.