On and off the ball Michael Murphy makes the opposition think - Oisin Gallen

Oisin Gallen says there’s a palpable change in tempo whenever Michael Murphy drops into the mix for Donegal.

It happened in Ballybofey on his official return as All-Ireland champions Armagh’s discipline disintegrated and it happened again in Ballyshannon at the weekend as Derry’s previous composure deserted them.

Murphy’s grabbing of the helm not only steadied the up-until-then rudderless hosts, but it seemed to also summon an energy that just wasn’t present for a large chunk of last weekend’s late pegging back of the Oak Leafers.

Jim McGuinness admitted after that five weeks on the trot had taken a toll on Donegal. And Gallen says ahead of a much-needed fortnight’s respite, it was nice to get back to winning ways after the Galway loss.

“In the league, it’s about winning games and picking up points and it was nice to get back to that as it didn’t look good for quite a while.

“It was a tough game, two different halves. The wind made it especially tricky there for both teams. That said, we were still slow to get going after the break.

“Even with the breeze, Derry were getting their hands on too much ball. Thankfully, we got a bit of a hold on things before it was too late.

“We needed something to kickstart that and there is no doubt Shane’s O’Donnell’s goal had a massive impact on the game.

“Michael came in there as well and that influence as well was really telling”.

Gallen is of course now an All-Star calibre forward, up there with the country’s best of the best. But the MacCumhaills man was a fan of Murphy’s long before he was a teammate.

And Gallen will know that the 2012 All-Ireland winning captain’s presence alone, should take some of the heat and attention away from him, at certain stages of big games, come championship.

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“Michael strengthens any team and any line he goes into,” Gallen explained. “He kind of showed a little bit of everything out there.

“It’s brilliant to have him back. And it’s not just his class on the ball, he brings so much to any particular scenario off it as well.

“Like I said, it’s a lift and for the younger lads and even the not so younger any more ones, there’s learning to be taken from most of what he was involved in out there today”.