"They know they now have to step up and become leaders themselves"
January 06, 2023
Paddy Carr during his time in charge of Ballymun Kickhams ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
New Donegal manager Paddy Carr says it’s up to his players “to step up” and try and fill the void left by Michael Murphy’s departure from the squad.
Murphy announced his retirement from inter-county football in November after 15 years with the Tir Chonaill men, which included an All-Ireland SFC triumph in 2012 and five Ulster championship victories.
Speaking to BelfastLive.co.uk ahead of his team’s McKenna Cup clash against Down on Sunday (1.30pm), Carr says its now up to others in the squad to become leaders in their former captain’s absence.
“Everyone in Donegal and beyond would have liked to have seen Michael Murphy play for the next 100 years,” he said.
“It was always going to be a big question - what happens to Donegal football when Michael Murphy retires?
“Michael is a man, not just of great talent, but of great character and he retired purely for personal reasons. I think those reasons have to be respected.
“People will now wonder what Donegal football will be like in the post-Michael Murphy era.
“The reality is that Michael is one of the greats of Gaelic football. My job now is to effectively get on with it. I believe that nothing has meaning except the meaning you put on it and I’m very happy to see the rest of the squad have chosen a very empowering meaning to Michael’s decision.
“They know they now have to step up and become leaders themselves because that’s what is needed.”
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