Donegal legend Murphy retires from inter-county football

Updated / Friday, 6 Nov 2026 06:21

Donegal's Michael Murphy has announced his retirement from inter-county football for the second time at the age of 37.

The county confirmed the news in a statement this evening, saying that Murphy had notified management of his decision following the Donegal club championship.

"Alas, we always knew this day would come but we are privileged to have watched the stellar career of Michael Murphy up close," Donegal County Board Chairperson Mary Coughlan said.

"What he has given Donegal GAA on-and-off the field is simply extraordinary while always an ambassador par excellence and role-model for so many young people in our county and beyond.

"He is one of the giants of the modern game and when players talk about leaving the jersey in a better place on retiring, Michael has certainly done that.

"He has carried himself with tremendous dignity and integrity at all times.

"His innate modesty is a foil for a fierce competitor who never gave less than 100% while inspiring others around him to do likewise."

The 2012 All-Ireland winning captain had initially retired in late 2022 and subsequently sat on the Football Review Committee which devised the enhanced rules which dramatically changed the sport in the interim.

Before they were to be trialled in the 2025 league campaign, Donegal had confirmed in November 2024 that Murphy would be making a sensational return to the county set-up, ahead of the second year of Jim McGuinness's second stint as manager.

Murphy, already regarded as one of the greatest footballers in Donegal's history, enjoyed a stellar first season back in the county jersey, collecting the sixth Ulster title of his career and leading the team to their fourth ever All-Ireland final appearance.

The Glenswilly player was nominated for Footballer of the Year after the campaign, however the season ended in disappointed with Donegal overwhelmed by Kerry in the All-Ireland decider.

Murphy claimed his first ever National League title in his last season as a player in 2026. But the success wasn't without controversy as Murphy was lucky to avoid a red card, the television cameras capturing him striking Kerry's Dylan Casey with a closed fist during a tussle for possession.

Donegal had been pencilled in as one of the All-Ireland favourites but they endured an unexpectedly flat summer, with an All-Ireland SFC Round 1 victory away to Kerry in Killarney the sole highlight.

They surrendered their Ulster crown with a shock loss to Down and then were beaten by Cork and Dublin in successive weeks to exit the championship before the quarter-final stage.

Murphy finishes his inter-county career with four All-Stars and was named Young Footballer of the Year in 2009.

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Watch Gowna (Cavan) v Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) in the Ulster Football Club Championship quarter-finals on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player

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