McGuinness says Murphy is in the shake-up to return for Donegal in Kerry

Jim McGuinness says Michael Murphy could be in line for the Donegal return next week, but insisted the decision will err on the side of caution. 

Donegal, on their return to Division 1 of the Allianz League, face the last three All-Ireland winners in their first three outings, opening their campaign at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney against Kerry, before welcoming Dublin and Armagh to Ballybofey in their next two fixtures. 

Glenswilly clubman Murphy, now 35, stepped aside from the inter-county scene in November 2022 and watched on last season as McGuinness’s side won Division 2 of the Allianz Football League, the Ulster SFC and reached the All-Ireland semi-final, before losing to Galway.

McGuinness, who guided Donegal to three Ulster crowns and the 2012 All-Ireland SFC in his first tenure in charge, admitted following his reappointment that he “half-tortured” his former captain to return to the set-up.

However, Murphy opted to return to the Donegal senior fold, joining fellow returnees Eoin McHugh, Odhran McFadden-Ferry and Eoghan McGettigan, while teen Finnbarr Roarty is also back on board. 

“He did nick his hamstring when he came in first but he’s fine now,” McGuinness said of Murphy. “He’s in that same phase as Odhran McFadden-Ferry, Eoghan McGettigan and those sort of players. It’s about getting them up to a level. If we have to hold people back and play 25 minutes or hold them back a couple of games, that’s what we’re going to do. Sport science is a big part of it now and we just wanna make sure that everybody is in the right place.

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“We’re going to have seven brilliant games in Division 1 and we need to use those games as well as possible to get as many players in as good a position as possible for Derry. It'll never change for us. There's two championships - Ulster the championship and once that's over, it's All-Ireland.”

With the new rules set to be rolled out next week, McGuinness joked as he was asked how he might play Murphy, in light of some recent speculation he had been training as goalkeeper.

“ I would say in goals would be my choice,” McGuinness said with a grin. “We have a good goalie so sub goalie, maybe.” 

“We’re just delighted to have him back,” he said. “As a management team the one thing you want as you want the best players in the county available to you. You know he was one of the best - if not the best player - in the club championship and so right away you're thinking you know there's there's more there's more to come here. 

“ The returning players need to be built up. We need to have them ready. Their experience is invaluable. We’re happy with the trajectory they have. You need good players and a level of experience. You’re going to need depth. Michael’s experience is massive. Michael has to get himself in the right spot. He is dangerous and carries a big presence. He’s versatile and has shown that down the years. Looking ahead, we have to remain adaptable.”