Donegal great Murphy announces inter-county retirement

Donegal's All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy announces his retirement from inter-county football for a second time. Donegal's All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy has announced his retirement from inter-county football for a second time. The 37-year-old made his Donegal debut in 2007 and captained the county to All-Ireland success in 2012, scoring 1-4 as they beat Mayo in the decider. The Glenswilly forward also won six Ulster Senior Football championships, including back-to-back triumphs in 2018 and 2019, and is a four-time All Star. He previously announced his inter-county retirement in 2022, but reversed the decision two years later and made a triumphant return under Jim McGuinness for the 2025 season. He helped his county to retain the Anglo-Celt Cup with an extra-time victory against Armagh and reach an All-Ireland final, which they lost to Kerry.

His stellar performances saw him receive a fourth All-Star while he was also nominated for the Footballer of the Year award that year. "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 in a statement. "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.