Murphy insists Ulster rivals are Donegal’s sole focus

Michael Murphy might have been the man who lifted Sam Maguire last September, but the Donegal captain has eyes for only Tyrone and the Ulster championship this Sunday.

Prior to his inter-county debut as a 17-year-old in the 2007 championship season, Murphy recalls scouring the northern province as a supporter, through the years of wilderness. He even left St Tiernach’s Park in Clones with tears in his eyes in 1998 after Joe Brolly’s last minute goal stole the Anglo-Celt Cup for Derry. It was just one of a catalogue of shortcomings.

Like the Donegal manager, Jim McGuinness, Donegal’s players have had just one day circled on their calendar. It’s been claimed Donegal may be putting all their eggs in one basket but it’s not a new policy for McGuinness’s panel.