Donegal begin to build in post-Murphy world

Transition won’t be easy as new manager Paddy Carr steps in

Paddy Carr: ‘What I would like to see is an incredible honesty of effort.’ Picture by Harry Murphy

Dermot Crowe

January 29 2023 02:30 AM

You may have seen the photograph taken on the day Donegal beat Meath in the last round of the qualifiers in 2002 in Croke Park. It shows Brendan Devenney after the final whistle when he went over to the stand to greet his sister, Sharon. Strikingly good as it is in conveying the joy of the moment and the importance of family, the young boy next to them holding Devenney’s hand has made the picture a collector’s item. His name is Michael Murphy.

Ten years on Murphy was no longer a boy nor a peripheral figure, having turned man when captaining Donegal to win the All-Ireland, leading the way with an explosive early goal that summed up all that made him such a captivating player. And ten years after that he announced it was time to retire at the age of 33. Future to present to past in 20 years. He departed with a message that Donegal will keep going, but he leaves a huge void and all football people lament his departure.

With the long-serving Neil McGee also retiring, the only surviving member of the 2012 side is the man who has replaced Murphy as captain, Paddy McBrearty. Change has come with a substantial sweep, Declan Bonner deciding to leave his post with a year still to run, having served five seasons, in his second reign, the first back in the 1990s and various other stints given to the county in the period in between.

For a while there was strong speculation that Rory Kavanagh would take the job, with Karl Lacey and even Jim McGuinness spoken of in the same backroom team, but it didn’t materialise. Then, somewhat out of the blue, came Paddy Carr, who resides near Ardee but has deep Donegal roots back to Fanad and played for the county in the championship in 1980 against Tyrone.

Carr has an interesting CV and has been around football a long time, but he is not a name that jumped off the page of obvious candidates. Recently retired from a school principal’s post in Navan, his greatest management achievement was leading Kilmacud Crokes to the 2009 All-Ireland club title. Most of his previous management positions were with club teams, although there were advisory roles under Pat Gilroy and Liam Sheedy and a spell in charge of Louth. His own playing career was divided between Crokes and Walterstown, after his father moved the family from Donegal to Dublin due to work.

Murphy’s departure removes a pillar of strength and leadership. “It was always going to happen,” says Manus Boyle. “The big fella was always going to walk away some time and he has been such a phenomenal asset and a complete gentleman over the years that you don’t just replace Michael Murphy; maybe three or four others come along and pick up the slack.”

Donegal start this year’s league today at home to the All-Ireland champions Kerry in Ballybofey, a glamorous opener even if the build-up has been muted. Two defeats to Down and Monaghan in the McKenna Cup provide the lead-in, with Aidan O’Rourke the coach and Paddy Bradley also joining the backroom team.

“If I am honest I think Donegal are in transition and have been for the last while,” says Boyle. “We have become a wee bit stale maybe. We kind of know what 15-20 players are playing for the last few years, we’ve had no real big additions. Maybe it needs new blood and energy.”

Bonner’s first year back in 2018 ended in relegation from Division 1, although he got them back up at the first attempt. Donegal face tough trips away to Tyrone and Monaghan after they play Kerry, and then host Galway. They conclude with ties away to Armagh, at home to Mayo and away to Roscommon. The championship then starts with a difficult trip to Newry.

Former Donegal player Eamon McGee remains optimistic, believing the raw material is there to match most counties if the mentality and preparations levels are right. He cites Tyrone and Galway as counties Donegal are comparable to in terms of panel strength. “What I would say is the mentality needed is they have to believe they’re capable of winning an All-Ireland. That is where we need to go to war as a county. It doesn’t have to happen every 20 years or so.”

Speaking to Tom Comack on Highland Radio, Carr was asked what he wants from the league. “What I would like to see is an incredible honesty of effort on the part of every lad that is put on the field and that everyone can see that the lads are going to die for the jersey. People respect that and good GAA people can see that. And if you do that ... that’ll be more than good enough for me.”