DONEGAL captain Michael Murphy turns 27 today.
The Glenswilly forward (pictured above by Geraldine Diver) has been an intricate part of the Donegal side since making his first championship appearance against Leitrim at Carrick-on-Shannon in 2007, captaining the 2012 All-Ireland winning team.
We ran this last year but, hey, why not give it another go!
Here’s some of his best moments for club, college, county and country …
 1 – 2012 All-Ireland final – Donegal 2-11 Mayo 0-13
Without so much as a score on the board for either team, in just the third minute of the All-Ireland final Karl Lacey played a killer ball into Michael Murphy, who was one-on-one with Kevin Keane …
2 – 2014 Ulster SFC quarter-final – Derry 0-11 Donegal 1-11
The margins were thin at Celtic Park in 2014 in Donegal’s championship opener against an in-form Derry. Jim McGuiness gave Michael Murphy some encouragement from the sideline ball …
[adrotate group=”53″]
3 – 2013 Raidió na Gaeltachta Donegal SFC final – Glenswilly 3-19 Killybegs 2-6
After an indifferent start in the county final against Killybegs, Glenswilly found their rhythm the longer the game went on – something they summed up perfectly with this goal that involved Michael Murphy, Darren McGinley, Kealan McFadden and Ciaran Bonner.
Video courtesy of Bradas O’Donnell/ Jackson Media
4 – 2014 Dr McKenna Cup – Donegal 3-17 Queen’s University Belfast 3-5
On a frosty January night in 2014, Donegal and Queen’s University both played their part in an entertaining Dr McKenna Cup contest. But everyone left talking about one thing and one thing only
Video courtesy of Bradas O’Donnell/ Jackson Media
5 – International Rules Series
Murphy is the Irish captain for the International Rules Series and has contributed plenty, like this stunning score from 2011.
[adrotate group=”38″]
6 – 2011 Allianz League Division Two – Derry 2-12 Donegal 2-18
Jim McGuinness was just getting his teeth in the role of Donegal manager and his side had beaten Tyrone in their first meaningful victory under his charge. Then Donegal came out on top in a cracking game in Derry.
7 – 2013 Ulster SFC semi-final – Donegal 0-12 Down 0-10
One of Michael Murphy’s prized assets is his abilities from placed balls, regardless of distance. Here’s a superb long range free from 55 metres against Down two years ago
Video courtesy of Enda Ferriter
8 – Â 2014 All-Ireland quarter-final – Donegal 1-12 Armagh 1-11
When Stefan Campbell scored a late goal to put Armagh ahead of Donegal in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final, it took some leadership from captain Michael Murphy to steady the ship
[adrotate group=”68″]
9 – 2013 Sigerson Cup – DCU 0-17 Queen’s University Belfast 0-9
When Michael Murphy was a student at DCU, he produced a marvellous personal performance – at his ease – against Queen’s University
10 – 2011 Ulster SFC final – Donegal 1-11 Derry 0-8
Donegal hadn’t won a provincial championship in 19 years and faced Derry in the 2011 decider in Clones. Michael Murphy had missed a penalty in the 2010 All-Ireland Under-21 final but wouldn’t duck the responsibility.
The 2011 Ulster final is 24:30 mins into Jimmy’s Winnin’ Matches
[adrotate group=”76″]12 – 2011 Raidió na Gaeltachta Donegal SFC final – Glenswilly 1-8 St Michael’s 0-9
Glenswilly had never before won the Dr Maguire Cup and Michael Murphy – who scored 1-7 with his goal arguably his best ever – guided them over the line against a good St Michael’s side in 2011.
13 – 2015 All-Ireland qualifiers Round 4B – Donegal 3-12 Galway 0-11
Michael Murphy was moved inside for large spells last Saturday against Galway at Croke Park and played excellently, scoring one particularly eye-catching point in particular…
14 – … and  of course setting up Ryan McHugh’s magical goal
Colm McFadden fire the ball into Murphy, who, at the Davin Stand side of Croke Park, had the presence of mind to pick up the run of Ryan McHugh with an unselfish pass.
[adrotate group=”74″]
15 – 2016 Ulster SFC semi-final – Donegal 1-11 Monaghan 0-14
Monaghan’s Drew Wylie felt the force of the Donegal captain in this year’s Ulster semi-final at Breffni Park in Cavan. A Championship Shoulder.
16 – 2016 Allianz League Division 1 – Kerry 1-13 Donegal 1-8
Donegal and Kerry exchanged plenty of pleasantries in the first half of this year’s Allianz League Division 1 clash and a goal from Murphy at the start of the second half gave his side some hope.
[adrotate group=”70″] Tags:
