MICHAEL MURPHY HAS been close but not close enough to Monaghan once too often.
As a rookie in 2007, in what was only his third-ever Championship game for Donegal, Murphy was on the wrong end of a 2-12 to 1-7 defeat by the Farney in Omagh in a qualifier.
A year later, Monaghan sent Donegal packing again, also in a qualifier, but this time in Ballybofey.
Murphy got the edge on Monaghan in the 2014 Ulster final, but in 2013 and 2015 Monaghan had the upper hand.
The swords cross again this Saturday evening at Breffni Park in a semi-final.
[adrotate group=”43″]“On the scale of things they have had the upper hand, but we know that we did get over the line against them.,” Murphy told Donegal Sport Hub.
“You have to go out with belief in your ability and that you can get over any team that you’re playing.
“We have been close and we’re not far away. We won’t underestimate the effort and push it will take to get up to a level to get over the line again. We’ll need everyone firing.”
[adrotate group=”53″]The battles between the two have been intense and there has been little love lost between the counties, with Monaghan also having the bragging rights from the 2014 Division 2 League final.
Murphy said: “It doesn’t matter what or where it is – it’s the Ulster Championship. You’ll find the final is every bit as similar to the preliminary round. Every team is up for it as if it is a final. Both teams will be at it hammer and tong.”
Donegal ended the League this year with five defeats on the spin, but got back to winning ways in their Ulster SFC quarter-final against Fermanagh, just a week and a half ago.
[adrotate group=”70″]Murphy said: “There’s a quicker turnaround. Players like games coming. We’ve had a good training base through the year, before, during and after the League. We’re fit and ready now to take the battles and knocks the Championship games have to offer.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/michael-murphy-ahead-of-ulster-sfc-semi-final-v-monaghan
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