GAA president Liam O'Neill has described Michael Murphy as an "exceptional young captain" after he offered his condolences to the Laois man on the death of his sister Barbara, who died the day before the All-Ireland final.

Murphy made the gesture as O'Neill presented him with the Sam Maguire Cup after Donegal's All-Ireland final victory over Mayo last Sunday week. The president subsequently contacted Donegal Central Council delegate Niall Erskine to convey his gratitude to the 23-year-old Glenswilly clubman.

"The president telephoned me on Tuesday night and he said that Michael had impressed him on the day," Erskine explained to The Donegal Democrat.

"But he then went on to say when he told the rest of his family, they were totally gobsmacked that a young man in what was the greatest moment in his life would even remember to sympathise."

O'Neill also recalled how a number of Dublin's All-Ireland minor winning panel had sympathised with him on the day. Tweet

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