Three-time All-Star forward Michael Murphy is set for a sensational return to the Donegal senior footballers for the 2025 season.
The now 35-year-old retired from inter-county duty in 2022, having won an All-Ireland SFC crown and five Ulster championships.
Speaking last December, after the return of manager Jim McGuinness - the man who made him captain as a 21-year-old and led the county to Sam Maguire in 2012 - Murphy said that while he was excited at McGuinness's second coming, he would continue to serve Donegal off the field, insisting: "No playing for me, it's job done 100%".
However, the county subsequently won their first Ulster title in five years and were narrowly beaten in the All-Ireland semi-final by Galway, perhaps swaying their most celebrated player to also sign up for a comeback, which was confirmed by Donegal GAA on Wednesday evening.
"CLG Dhún na nGall are happy to confirm the return of All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy to the Donegal squad for the 2025 season," a statement on social media said.
"We look forward to the season ahead and the possible addition of other players to our 2025 squad as well!"
Michael Murphy is hoping the proposed rule changes will be strengthened by debate, something Eamonn Fitzmaurice says the Football Review Committee welcomes
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Murphy has worked as an analyst for RTÉ Sport, the BBC and others since retirement and is a member of the GAA's Football Review Committee, which has proposed dramatic changes to the football rules.
He has continued to line out for club Glenswilly in the county championship sponsored by his sportswear company, and scored four points as they made a quarter-final exit to eventual runners up An Clochán Liath (known as Dungloe in English) in September.
