Big loss to the game, I can't think of many footballers that was better than him over the last 15 years.

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 3755 - 16/11/2022 19:08:19    2447830

This was posted as a new thread but since the subject matter is the same it has been incorporated here.

Lockjaw (8153)
16/11/2022
19:13:17

Michael Murphy

It was with great sadness that I learned of the great man Michael Murphys retirement this evening. What an absolute colossus of a player and a man. I was in Carrick on Shannon when he made his championship debut for Donegal against Leitrim in 2007. He almost burst the net with his first meaningful involvement. Talk about starting as he meant to go on!

It has been an absolute pleasure to follow his career since as a proud Donegal man. The fact that Donegal have doubled their amount of Ulster titles & All Irelands during his career is no coincidence. He will undoubtedly go down as Donegals greatest ever player.

All that's left to say is míle buíochas a Mhíchéal!

Administrator (None) - Posts: 2274 - 16/11/2022 21:08:40    2447841

A truly fantastic footballer. I loved watching him play. A loss not only to Donegal but to all real Gaa football supporters. A giant. Best of luck in your retirement Michael.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3676 - 16/11/2022 21:12:22    2447842

Superb footballer, huge respect and best wishes to Michael!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8592 - 16/11/2022 21:17:20    2447843

This was posted as a new thread but since the subject matter is the same it has been incorporated here.

Yourjoking (607)
16/11/2022
19:14:47

Michael Murphy

One of the all time greats, a beast of a player who shone in any position he played. Donegal needed him around the middle and full forward loved watching him and wish him a great future.

Administrator (None) - Posts: 2274 - 16/11/2022 21:19:06    2447844

An incredible player. The single most influential player in the game for many years between 2010-2020. Could play anywhere and often did.

Delivered 1-3 and captained Donegal to Sam at the young age of 23. A wonder goal after 3 minutes set the tone that day that Murphy would do what he was born to do and lift Sam Maguire. International Rules, All Stars, captain and spiritual leader of Donegal for more than a decade, he was and is a one-off.

Humble, loyal and the finest example to a young player you could get. A competitive animal who found scores over and over when Donegal needed them. A Murphy point was almost like 2 points. He just had that X factor.

Donegal is in mourning to be honest but as the man himself says, the show must go on and Donegal must honour the legacy of Murphy by upholding his top-class standards and ambition. No doubt some day he will manage the county team.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1321 - 16/11/2022 21:41:05    2447847

Best of luck in the future by far the best footballer in the country for the past ten years. Has an augument with a Dub supporter 5 years ago who was of the opinion that murphy would not make the Dublin team and then wanted to know who i would drop from the Dublin team to make place for him had to tell him any bloody one of thier six forwards.

breffnibluewhite (Cavan) - Posts: 454 - 16/11/2022 21:41:40    2447848

The best no 14 ever to pull on the Donegal jersey, the best ever player to don the Donegal jersey ... he'll be sorely missed ...

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 916 - 16/11/2022 21:45:00    2447849

An interesting statistics about him. Before he was made Donegal captain in 2011 they'd only won 5 Ulster titles and now he's retired he's captained them to 5 titles.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 17/11/2022 08:21:42    2447860

What an opponent and leader for his team, Scored one of the greatest goals in 2012 All-Ireland final. Always enjoyed watching him.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 17/11/2022 08:44:07    2447861

Legendary player.

Probably the overall standout player of his generation. Could do it all.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 17/11/2022 09:09:30    2447863

What a player. And always conducted himself like a true sportsman should.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1128 - 17/11/2022 11:30:03    2447891

He got dogs abuse ifrom opponents of the ball with no protection from officals tough man

highdropingball (Donegal) - Posts: 99 - 17/11/2022 11:48:00    2447900

Best wishes to Michael on his retirement..he owes nothing to anyone..brilliant footballer and never got involved in stupid stuff..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2216 - 17/11/2022 12:36:39    2447913

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 801 - 17/11/2022 12:45:07    2447914

Serious player. Would probably be in my Top 5 players in the last 15 years. Will be a huge loss to Donegal and the GAA in general

aidan64 (Kerry) - Posts: 665 - 17/11/2022 13:32:51    2447918

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 17/11/2022 13:42:15    2447920

Was really sad to hear the news that Michael was retiring. Sad because he was a such a joy to watch, i used to love watching him play. I consider myself very lucky to have seen him play and when people talk about the great players of the game ill be bringing his name up.

What a complete player in terms of skills and quality. But he was more then that a leader, massive determination and character. He would play any where for the team, sometimes to his own determined.

His and Donegal's achievement in 2012 towers above an All Ireland win for Dublin and Kerry and 5 Ulster titles in this era are hard won - incredible career in the context of teams who have been around.

One of my favourite non Dublin players and probably the best in the country arguably in many years of his career.

I'm going to miss watching him play, but grateful for the times that i did, as a rival that says it all really.

Laochra Gael.

Best to him and his in the future.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 17/11/2022 13:54:02    2447921

Best of luck to a great footballing legend. Glad I got to see him play.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2120 - 17/11/2022 13:59:21    2447923

So many memories though....

2012 AI final goal
The point v Galway in 2015 where he soared in the air, looped around and boomed over from distance.
The sideline point against Derry in 2014
Free kick against Cork in the 2012 AI semi final from 50 meters

I also remember a cold January night when he absolutely rocketed in a goal from bout 30 yards against Queens and Colm Anthony just laughing his head off at it.

He's going to leave a massive void. Obviously his footballing ability. But his influence, leadership, work ethic and the standards he set will be sorely missed as well. It's going to be a veryu strange feeling going to watch Donegal play in 2023 without the talisman at number 14.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 17/11/2022 14:31:00    2447930