Jarlath Burns Paid Special Tribute To Michael Murphy Before Kerry Lifted Sam Maguire

When Jarlath Burns called Michael Murphy to join the FRC in 2024, little did he think a year later he would be paying tribute to the Donegal man in an All-Ireland final day speech.

Some people questioned the comeback at the start. Too old? Too long out of the game? It’s testament to Murphy that if Donegal had won yesterday he would’ve been favourite for footballer of the year and is still a nailed on all-star.

Burns paid tribute to the Donegal icon before handing over Sam Maguire to Kerry captain Gavin White.

"It would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention a man who played his 89th championship match today and that is Michael Murphy.

He owes his county nothing. He is the best player ever to come from your county and we should all be proud to have watched that man play what an incredible legend he has been for Donegal."

Murphy was well shackled by the Kingdom, Jason Foley picked him up close to goal and Mark O’Shea was detailed to compete with him in the air on kickouts yet he still managed eight points, with two from play.

Eighteen years on from when the Glenswilly club man made his debut for Donegal as a seventeen year old in 2007, it’s absolutely incredible that he’s managed to get his body back up to the level required to play inter county football in 2025.

The new rules allow for forwards to save their legs and there’s always the potential of him being used as an impact sub, you feel there’s still another chapter left in the Michael Murphy story.

Murphy looks like a lock for an All-Star and was selected in the Sunday Game's Team of the Year.

Will we see him for another year in Donegal colours? That is the great unanswered question for Donegal this autumn.