Jim’s journey around Donegal was as much about the tragedies of the past as the glories of the present

Normally, the distance from the Burlington Hotel to Glenswilly is 260 kilometres or so — but this was no normal week in Donegal.

Jim McGuinness said after the All-Ireland final that the journey home would be the best of their lives. So, at 11.35pm on Thursday night, the bus driven by Kevin McAnaney made its 40th and last stop after 867 kilometres to Michael Murphy’s home ground.

Tradition implies Tuesday is captain’s day but the volume of well-wishers forced a two-day postponement. As Murphy stood overlooking his neighbours, there was a tear in his eye.