Mac's View: Murphy's return will bring confidence to the Donegal dressing room

I have to say I was very pleased with the confirmation that Michael Murphy was returning to the Donegal senior panel for 2025. He is still only 35 and he showed in the club championship that he still has a lot to give. And we know from the past that he will get himself ready for the action.

Donegal have a difficult start having to travel to Kerry for the opening game of the National League and it doesn’t get any easier with the following games at home to Dublin and Armagh.

But that’s what Division 1 is all about. Murphy’s return will bring confidence to the whole set up and he will be good for the dressing room. Will he be given the captaincy once more? I wouldn’t like to speculate on that but it is a big decision for Jim McGuinness.

We are likely to have some new rules in operation and Michael Murphy was part of the committee which drew up those amendments so it will be interesting to see how he works with them.

His return makes for an exciting 2025 and the buzz which was around when Jim McGuinness returned this year is going to be increased even further.

There was news also this week of the appointment of managers at U-20 and Minor level. I was a little surprised and sorry to see Shaun Paul Barrett not being re-selected at U-20 level but that’s football unfortunately. I remember it happening to me many times.

Gary Boyle is in with the U-20s for 2025 and he has a good bit of experience. It is good to see Barry Ward continue with the minors and that brings a bit of stability and experience.

And speaking of managers, my congratulations to Donegal Town pair Karl Lacey and Barry Dunnion on their work with Kilcoo, who are through to the Ulster Club semi-final after a narrow win over Crosserlough of Cavan.

I would have plenty of memories of St Joseph’s playing Crosserlough three years in-a-row and there was only ever a point or two between us. They have a great tradition and they gave Kilcoo their fill of it on Saturday night. They were not helped by three black cards and one red. But fair play to Kilcoo, they are a hardened club team and their eyes will be on the Ulster and All-Ireland titles once more.

I must say I enjoyed the TV coverage of TG4 and RTE 2 of the club championship over the weekend with some top class matches. The Derry champions, Newbridge, went down narrowly to Clann Eireann of Armagh and the night before there was a very enjoyable contest between Cuala and Naas in Newbridge which Cuala won.

The Roscommon champions Padraig Pearses, who put a good St Brigids team to the sword in their county final, got the better of a very good Corofin side in Connacht. They were very good in the first half but fell away a bit in the second. But they got a goal late on to seal a big win. They are another side that will fancy themselves now as the All-Ireland Club championship is wide open.

I also noticed that the London champions, North London Shamrocks, with 10 Donegal starters gave Mayo champions, Ballina Stephenites, their fill of it. I noticed the name of Michael Carroll among their starters and they have Peter Witherow, who was part of the Donegal All-Ireland winning panel of 2012, as their manager.

This weekend Erne Gaels have their big day out in the Ulster Club Championship when they face Scotstown in Brewster Park on Saturday and good luck to them.

Good luck also to Naomh Padraig, Muff, who are our last remaining hope in the Ulster Junior semi-final when they play Collegeland of Armagh in Omagh.

On the home front the U-21 competition is now in the knock-out stage. It is sad to see St Eunan’s going out but fair play to Buncrana and the others. It would seem that Gaoth Dobhair and Four Masters are the teams to beat.

The Ladies of Downings also carry Donegal’s last hopes this weekend and good luck to them as they take on Warrenpoint in the Ulster Junior final.

The Ladies U-23 competitions came to a conclusion at the weekend with St Eunan’s too strong for Aodh Ruadh while Ardara had a big win in their final, which might give their men’s team a boost.

There is plenty of action now as well at colleges level and St Eunan’s, Letterkenny are through to the semi-final of the Loch an Iuir and with the catchment area that they have, they should be playing at the top level.

The South West and Abbey VS, Donegal Town have MacRory Cup games in the coming week against Castleblayney and St Paul’s, Bessbrook and they are wished well. It is great to see two teams from the county competing in the MacRory Cup.

SPLIT SEASON

There was an interesting debate on RTE Radio at the weekend on the issue of county players playing for their clubs and former Dublin player Noel McCaffrey was right when he said the split season had made the matter worse rather than improving it.

It is said that the modern intercounty player will play only four games on average for his club in the new split season. I have to agree they should be playing more than that.

I always point out what former Kilkenny team manager, Brian Cody, did one year after his side drew the All-Ireland final. There was a two week break to the replay and he sent his players back to play for their clubs in the meantime. And they went on and won the All-Ireland final replay.

Back in the day we had Shield competitions at this time of year but now most club players have no games after the end of September.

SYMPATHY

My sympathies to the Lyons family, Belleek and the Gillespie family, Donegal Town on recent sad deaths of two very young sportsmen. The death of former Erne Gaels player Mark Lyons led to the postponement of their Ulster club game.

News of the sudden death of Shane Gillespie last weekend shocked the Donegal Town area where he was widely known with a huge sporting background.

May both rest in peace.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell