Eamon McGee says Michael Murphy looks good to go from the off 

Eamon McGee says Michael Murphy’s pair of impacting cameos to date will have given Donegal boss Jim McGuinness so much to think about. 

The returning 2012 All-Ireland winning captain was finally sprung into action against Armagh in Ballybofey last month. 

Since then he’s also seen minutes in off the bench last time out in the win over Derry in Ballyshannon. 

On both occasions, Murphy was so instrumental in helping turn those contests firmly in Donegal’s favour. 

And McGee says off the back of that evidence, any previous notions McGuinness might have had of using Murphy as an impact sub could well be swayed. 

"I've seen his last 15 minutes against Armagh, I definitely see a starting role, and it's a long time I've seen him looking as lean,” said McGee, whose Laochra Gael programme will be shown on TG4 this Thursday at 9.30pm.

“And I think with the three up top, I've played about a club for Gaoth Dobhair, and the demands in that three up top, so Michael can come in, go hard, and I think you need that focal point. 

"I think one of them three needs to be a strong ball winner, and needs to be a presence. We've seen what happened when Armagh seen Murphy. His presence and his introduction kind of shook them. 

“Aidan Forker bought into it, and you know, that whole thing that Michael brings with him, I definitely think he should be starting

"It frees up Oisín Gallen as well. I think Gallon is only going to kick on now. You have Murphy, Gallen, and Paddy McBrearty, or whoever else. 

“Your sweeper, or whatever they choose to keep back, you need three good defenders to keep back, keep them out, and then if the boys play a sweeper, then you can only watch Murphy, or Gallen, then I definitely think Murphy is going to be starting come Championship."