Murphy rules out move Down Under

DONEGAL skipper and long-time AFL target Michael Murphy expects Australian interest in him to cease following the revoking of controversial agent Ricky Nixon’s licence.

Nixon has personally spearheaded an aggressive pursuit of rising talent in the GAA market in recent years, signing up several players on professional contracts with AFL clubs including Kerry’s Tommy Walsh who is currently with St Kilda.

Nixon never hid his desire to recruit former young footballer of the year Murphy whom he first made contact with in 2008 before the St Eunan’s College student had completed his Leaving Cert.

In late 2009, Nixon described the big full-forward as an “outstanding prospect” and claimed he’s still “firmly fixed on my radar”.

But with Nixon’s licence recently revoked for two years due to inappropriate dealings with a teenager, subsequent reports that the agent is quitting the profession and in the process of selling his Flying Start company, interest in players like Murphy looks set to decrease.

“Yeah, I would expect it,” said Murphy.

“They’re bringing them over a lot younger, 17, 18, 19.

“I’m 21, far too old for that. No, I think that’s over.

“I haven’t been chatting to him recently but I was chatting to him a couple of years ago.

“There’s nothing really too much in it. It was more courtesy that I was answering him, a slight interest maybe in going over but at the end of the day I really like it too much at home to be leaving it.

“So that chapter is closed, 100%.”