Michael Murphy says 'nothing has changed' on Donegal retirement

Michael Murphy has quashed any notions of a retirement U-turn.

While Murphy retired from inter-county football in November 2022, the return of Jim McGuinness as Donegal manager prompted speculation.

The 34-year-old played 177 times for Donegal since making his debut in the Dr McKenna Cup in January 2007.

Murphy played 77 Championship games between 2007 and 2022, captaining Donegal from 2011 until his retirement. Murphy led Donegal to Sam Maguire in 2012 and lifted the Ulster SFC title five times.

Following a difficult year in 2023, which saw Paddy Carr step down after only 149 days as manager, the arrival of McGuinness - with whom Murphy forged a deadly manager-captain relationship - raised hopes that Murphy might return.

However, at the official launch of GAAGO’s 2024 schedule, the three-time All-Star dismissed suggestions that he could reconsider.

Although admitting that he and McGuinness have been in contact, Murphy - who last month married Annie Keeney at a celebration in Florence, Italy - said ‘nothing has changed’ as regards his decision.

Murphy worked as an analyst with GAAGO, the online streaming platform, in 2023.

GAAGO will have sole broadcast rights for all four of next year’s preliminary All-Ireland quarter-finals, as well as two of the four quarter-finals and there will be a new magazine show rolled out next year.