Michael Murphy admits that he, like most of Donegal, ‘thought the worst’ when he hobbled out of an All-County League game two weeks ago – but the Glenswilly man says he’s flying fit to face Tyrone on Sunday-week.
Murphy limped out of Glenswilly’s Division One clash with Gaoth Dobhair and there were initial fears that the Donegal captain was in doubt for the Ulster SFC semi-final against the Red Hands.
Rory Gallagher was quick on the draw to allay those concerns and Murphy himself says he’s in no danger.
“I got a bang there two Sundays ago now, but it was just a scare,” said Murphy.
Picture caption: The GAA and GPA are delighted to announce a new partnership with Pat the Baker to promote the new Protein Bread at Croke Park in Dublin. The five-year revenue share agreement will see a percentage of all sales going towards the GPA Player Development Programme, supported by the GAA. Donegal footballer Michael Murphy is pictured at the launch. Picture by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
“We played a load of league games this year. I got a bang on the inside of the knee against Gweedore.
“I thought the worst at the time like anybody tends to do, but it was more of an impact than anything twisted or instability there. I got that out of the way fairly quickly and it’s full-go now for the Tyrone game.”
Murphy was helped from the field after colliding with a Gaoth Dobhair player and Donegal physio Cathal Ellis attended to Murphy at his home.
Murphy has been in fine fettle so far this year and has had an uninterrupted spell with the county.
He said: “I always try to get the six, seven or eight weeks without any injuries and get that training under the belt. It’s a big help and I got that early in the year.
“It gets the body that little bit stronger and well able to take the rigours of what’s thrown in the National League. I got that under the belt thanks bit to God.
“Touch wood everything’s fairly good so far.”
Donegal were pipped by Tyrone in last year’s Ulster final and Murphy is itching to make up for that defeat. Murphy feels, too, as if he has some personal making up to do.
“There was no excuse and I knew myself last year that performance wise I wasn’t playing as good as I would have liked to have played – but again that was totally down to myself solely,” he said.
“I don’t think I was anyway unfit, I think I was every bit as prepared and able to handle things. For one thing or another my performances weren’t there.
“There’s hunger there this year to try and right the wrongs of that and try put that night. I am enjoying it, I’m enjoying it every bit as much this year. Time will tell now it’s up to me to try and prove it for the rest of the year.
“The age I’m at now too you’re looking at the latter half of the career. You know the years mightn’t always be there for you too. I’m enjoying it, loving it. Any chance you get to play and any time you’re injury free is a big plus.”
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