Like other people have said he is a victim of his own versatility and being played out of position. If he played full forward for Dublin and could just go out and catch ball and distribute to the likes of Brogan, Flynn, and Connolly he would be talked about as possibly one of the greatest ever. I'm not saying he would be, but with that supporting cast he'd get in the discussion. Free taking is superb aswell.

DBo183 (USA) - Posts: 16 - 22/12/2015 13:24:22    1813890

Not sure if playing with a better team would make him appear a better player, if he was playing with Kerry for example not everything would be going through him like it does in Donegal. If he was in Kerry would he be considered much better than a player like Bryan Sheehan, another excellent player but rarely thought of as one of the country's best.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 22/12/2015 15:06:30    1813910

Not sure if playing with a better team would make him appear a better player, if he was playing with Kerry for example not everything would be going through him like it does in Donegal. If he was in Kerry would he be considered much better than a player like Bryan Sheehan, another excellent player but rarely thought of as one of the country's best.

Soma (UK) - Posts:1239 - 22/12/2015 15:06:30

You've started the sauce early.... Michael Murphy and Bryan Sheehan! I really hope this is a bad attempt at a windup. By the way, by what comparison since the turn of the decade are Kerry a better team than Donegal? Not much in it I would say.

benched (Tyrone) - Posts: 534 - 22/12/2015 17:19:42    1813939

If the rest of the Donegal players put in as much effort as Michael Murphy, Frank McGlynn, Paddy McGrath, Ryan McHugh, Leo McLoone and Neil McGee, they would as good as any other side in the country. In saying that, I believe this is something they have already begun to address.

Michael Murphy is a work horse, a passionate and extremely talented work horse who's very presence lifts the Donegal team. For a while I wasn't gone on him, but witnessed some outstanding skill by him that changed my perception. He is a great player, with a work rate and physicality that sets him apart from many other top forwards.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 22/12/2015 18:28:08    1813946

i started this thread so its obvious I wouldnt see MM as being this celestial being some here seem to, but, I am not blind and am 100% willing to say that i am well aware that he is a class act and would as I said, walk on the Dubs team.
But I have to say, to see Soma compare him to Bryan Sheehan.....WTF!!!
MM is on a diff level altogether to Bryan, who is a decent player but not much more than that. Even I will say that!!

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 22/12/2015 18:39:38    1813949

Michael Murphy is different class. Still think Connolly is the best player in the country though.

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 22/12/2015 20:05:12    1813966

Ah hang on now, iv compared him to an All-star with 4 senior All-Irelands, who has scored 12-308 at senior intercounty level, and who was recently described by Maurice Fitzgerald as the best footballer of his generation in the Kerry club scene, it's hardly the insult to Murphy that some make out. Sheehan won his first All-Irelands as a corner forward, then had a spell at wing forward and finally won an All-star and All-Ireland as a midfielder. He was also goalkeeper for Kerry u-21s when still a minor. One of the main reasons Sheehan has moved out the field is his lack of pace and movement meant he was getting marked out of games in the full forward line. I think Gallagher wanted to go with Murphy as his full forward this year but for these same reasons he has been used out the field more as well. What parts of Murphys game are that superior to Sheehan that makes the comparison ridiculous? It's not free taking, shooting, fielding, passing ability, pace or vision so what is it?

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 23/12/2015 08:46:33    1813987

There are loads of anecdotes about the man's class but I just remembered this one. He once scored 0-13 out of Glenswilly's 0-15 in club game not so long ago.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9151 - 23/12/2015 09:22:59    1813991

If your intention is to wind people up - the norm is to stretch the credibility of the argument whilst keeping it credible - also to include supporting for the argument that shows that your insight or viewpoint merits consideration

But suggesting that you are surprised that MM is amongst the top 15 players in the country or that eamon McGee should be more highly rated shows that either you have never watched Murphy play or just being obtuse for sake of being obtuse

At least be man enough to stick to your argument the constant semi claw back and" listen" lads is cringey

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 23/12/2015 09:36:24    1813995

Ah hang on now, iv compared him to an All-star with 4 senior All-Irelands, who has scored 12-308 at senior intercounty level, and who was recently described by Maurice Fitzgerald as the best footballer of his generation in the Kerry club scene, it's hardly the insult to Murphy that some make out. Sheehan won his first All-Irelands as a corner forward, then had a spell at wing forward and finally won an All-star and All-Ireland as a midfielder. He was also goalkeeper for Kerry u-21s when still a minor. One of the main reasons Sheehan has moved out the field is his lack of pace and movement meant he was getting marked out of games in the full forward line. I think Gallagher wanted to go with Murphy as his full forward this year but for these same reasons he has been used out the field more as well. What parts of Murphys game are that superior to Sheehan that makes the comparison ridiculous? It's not free taking, shooting, fielding, passing ability, pace or vision so what is it?

Soma (UK) - Posts:1240 - 23/12/2015 08:46:33 1813987

Murphy has pace.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 23/12/2015 12:12:05    1814032

Stupid thread really.
Michael Murphy is absolute class and the Donegal player that every opposition fears.
Some people tend to overlook the fact that he's expected to control the middle and also come up with big scores.
Wish he was playing for us.

ponga (Mayo) - Posts: 650 - 23/12/2015 12:20:35    1814035

It never ceases to amaze me how people continuously fail to grasp the meaning or "Over-rated" on here. Nobody is saying he's a bad player.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12120 - 23/12/2015 12:36:36    1814037

It never ceases to amaze me how people continuously fail to grasp the meaning or "Over-rated" on here. Nobody is saying he's a bad player.

Breffni39 (Cavan) - Posts:10020 - 23/12/2015 12:36:36 1814037

The OP suggests that rating him ahead of Eamon McGee is overrated - McGee is at best the third best Donegal corner back of the past 5 years so in my view there is a lot of scope to disagree with the use of the word - unless of course your view is that Murphy would be the third best player in his house if he was a McGee

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 23/12/2015 13:05:15    1814042

Nearly every intercounty player has pace Donegalman, including Sheehan and Murphy. But neither have the burst needed in the summer months for the full forward line over the first 5 yards compared to a McMahon, Brogan, O'Donohoe etc. I'd say McBrearty is much quicker over 5 yards, and turns much faster, than Murphy. Murphy is a bigger unit than all the players mentioned so it's only natural he wouldn't have the same pace or speed of turn. Aidan O'Shea is one of the few big men who does have that burst of pace which is why his move to full forward was a success.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 23/12/2015 13:15:00    1814045

What parts of Murphys game are that superior to Sheehan that makes the comparison ridiculous? It's not free taking, shooting, fielding, passing ability, pace or vision so what is it?

Soma (UK) - Posts:1241 - 23/12/2015 08:46:33
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd let Eamon Fitzmaurice settle this ridiculous debate, as he is the man who dropped Sheehan for the AI final and semi-final this year, because he knew well that Sheehan no longer has the pace to count against the best teams until the game slows after half-time. Club level is different, where I'm sure he is still outstanding. Also, Murphy is a far more explosive player than Sheehan ever was.

Michael Murphy is a colossal footballer, and certainly one of the very best in Ireland. I also genuinely suspect that he could be one of the best full-backs or centre-backs in Ireland, if he ever had a run of games in those positions. A top footballer.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 23/12/2015 14:16:38    1814055

One of the main reasons Sheehan has moved out the field is his lack of pace and movement meant he was getting marked out of games in the full forward line. I think Gallagher wanted to go with Murphy as his full forward this year but for these same reasons he has been used out the field more as well. What parts of Murphys game are that superior to Sheehan that makes the comparison ridiculous? It's not free taking, shooting, fielding, passing ability, pace or vision so what is it?[/i]

Soma, it is pace. Murphy is faster. He was only caught badly for pace in last years ulster final as he was injured.

I would still like to see more stats about the 2 players, as they are very similar.

I'm pretty sure Michael Murphy would get into any county team in the country. Big, powerful and strong. Showed great versatility by being deployed as a midfielder, that says a lot about his attitude, the team comes first for him. Never shrieks on the big occasion and one of the modern greats who we should admire rather than criticise.

ShortGrass_1 (Kildare) - Posts: 223 - 04/01/2016 12:06:53    1814404

Great player but think he suffers from being too versatile sometimes as he gets played out the field a bit too much by Donegal. Should be kept on the edge of the square every game but like a lot of other all rounders is needed to plug gaps elsewhere. Has played a ridiculous amount of football for a 26 year old.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1802 - 04/01/2016 12:45:56    1814411

Murphy is exceptional. I'd rate himself & Diarmuid Connolly as the two best footballers in the country. They are completely different in temperament, stature, style but are equally compelling to watch.
Murphy stands out as a figure-head. He is completely committed and is exemplary on the pitch & off. He is immense. Reading McGuinness & Kavanagh's books shows you the kind of person he is: completely respected by all who work with him. He is a natural leader. Definitely not over-rated; if anything, he is often under-rated due to the sacrifices he makes for the sake of the team.

Glynners (Donegal) - Posts: 109 - 04/01/2016 13:05:14    1814421

Murphy's been carrying injuries on and off this last couple of years; is generally half-fouled and manhandled for the entire game (most recently by the Tyrone and Kerry defences); gets dogs abuse; and is asked to do too much donkey work. For such a big man, his agility and accuracy is remarkable. Murphy is a mighty man, a fantastic ball player with a great engine and the strength of two men - and he seems to me to be a 100% gentleman as well.

It's difficult to know which is the more pathetic - the begrudgery and bitterness of these put-downs or the dishonest nature of them - generally, as with this thread, they're devious enough to dress their bitterness up as faint praise: "he was a good enough footballer, but, if you knew as much about football as me, you'd realise he was a bit over-rated."

And this usually from some oracle who would usually only have seen the player in question on the TV; who wouldn't have been at the hundreds of club and provisional games down the years that allow county and provincial insiders to form a full impression of a player's worth; and who generally is about as balanced as a half-dumbbell and as reliable a witness as David Icke at an alien abduction convention.

If you can't say something good about some bloke who you've never met and who presumably never did anything to you, then do us all a favour and count to ten before logging on. Then have a re-think and head out and dig the garden or something.

There's enough begrudgery in the world already.

essmac (Tyrone) - Posts: 1141 - 17/01/2016 16:23:38    1817137