McGuinness says it 'wasn't a difficult conversation' for Murphy to return in 2026

Jim McGuinness says it wasn’t too difficult to get Michael Murphy to recommit to Donegal for 2026.

The Donegal manager managed to coax his former captain back into the inter-county set-up after a two-year sabbatical in late 2024 and after reaching the All-Ireland final last year, the two men spoke about what the future might bring. However, Murphy required Achilles surgery afterwards and made his comeback against Kerry with 18 minutes to play.

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Donegal ran out winners on a scoreline of 1-22 to 1-18 and having led by eight points one stage early in the second half, Donegal were just three up late on. Murphy tagged on the insurance point in front of 9,000, to give his team their second win from two in Division 1 of the National Football League.

McGuinness said: “Well the question was asked, obviously out of manners I suppose. But no, it wasn't a difficult conversation, no. It wasn't, you know. Obviously he had a surgery after the final and we've been trying to manage him and mind him and build him up from that.

“It's been a long enough road actually since that. He didn't manage to play for his club in the club championship and he's been building up. So it's great to have him back on the pitch.”