Jim McGuinness on Michael Murphy’s recovery: ‘It has been a long enough road’

Donegal’s Michael Murphy after the game. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

The victory and several elements of their performance were sweet, but Donegal committed one major sin in Jim McGuinness’s book: they gifted Sean O’Shea placed-ball opportunities.

For a team that typically maintains discipline, Donegal gifted O’Shea six two-point frees in Ballyshannon. He kicked four of them.

“A lot of positives in the first half in particular,” said McGuinness post-match.

“Kerry then turned the screw on their own kickout, gave them a lot of possession in the second half. I think they were 12/12 on their own kickout there.

“The negatives would be not dealing with the ball in the air. We had a couple of times to deal with it. And free-kicks. Sean O’Shea is not going to miss. That is the bottom line. Rory Beggan, Sean O’Shea, these guys just don’t miss. Disappointed with the discipline aspect of that.”

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness, left, shakes the hand of Kerry’s manager Jack O’Connor after the game. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Michael Murphy made his return to action for the first time since the All-Ireland final. The process of getting him back was straightforward, but his recovery was anything but.

“It wasn’t a difficult conversation, no. Obviously he had surgery after the final and we’ve been trying to manage him and mind him, build him up from that. It has been a long enough road since that. He didn’t manage to play for his club in the club championship. He has been building up, great to have him back on the pitch.” 

According to Kerry boss Jack O’Connor, Donegal only had a startling four turnovers in the entire game.

“There was a good level of control in the game,” said McGuinness.

Killian Spillane of Kerry in action against Caolan McColgan of Donegal in Ballyshannon. Pic: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile

“At the same time, kickouts are so important now. They are going beyond the arc and the 45. All the kickouts Kerry won in the second half, only one of them was inside the 45. They were all beyond the 45. They were kickouts in contest if you like, whether it was clean or on a break. There was a lot going on around that area.

“That is becoming a big part of the game. There is a hell of a lot going on when the ball is in the air with the guys on the ground. We are seeing that in all the games. That is something every team will have to deal with coming into the summer and the refs as well.” Meanwhile, O’Connor was content with Kerry’s attitude, given the bodies that were missing.

“Disappointed with the result but in the circumstances, halfway through the second half, it looked like we were going to get a bit of a beating. I’d be very happy with the fact that we dug in and made a game of it in the end.” 

Mike Breen was replaced at half-time due to hamstring tightness, while David Clifford was replaced by Killian Spillane before throw-in. Paudie Clifford and Graham O'Sullivan are close to a return.

“He (Clifford) had a bit of a flu during the week,” explained O’Connor.