Michael Murphy’s comeback didn’t bring Donegal an All-Ireland but it did bring him closure

The Irish Times · Malachy Clerkin · 2026-11-06 10:52 UTC

Second retirement, aged 37, brings an end to the career of the greatest footballer his county has ever known

Never go back, they say. They’re wrong.

No, Michael Murphy didn’t win his second All-Ireland. He didn’t drag Donegal to their third, didn’t find himself on that emerald-jewelled road lined with his people singing Sam back to the hills. Instead, he did something far more important. He spared himself a lifetime of wondering whether he had it in him.

[ Michael Murphy announces intercounty retirementOpens in new window ]

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