Ciarán Whelan: Murphy tweak could send Donegal to next level

Certain players, such are their skillsets, attract a lot of attention over where best on the pitch to maximise their impact.

For a large part of his career, Galway hurler Joe Canning was the source of much discussion over where he could influence the game most, a debate which really only died down after the 2017 All-Ireland success.

Mayo's Aidan O’Shea comes into that category, but it’s doubtful any player could match the positional scrutiny of Michael Murphy.

Donegal’s talisman, when fit, is nearly always the recipient of the 14 jersey, but is as likely to drop out to midfield as he is to loiter around the opposition square.

The Glenswilly man is an ideal target man, but from a Donegal perspective, also highly effective at gathering possession further out and feeding the forwards ahead of him.

Murphy was in and around the house for both of the crucial late goals in the Ulster semi-final win over Cavan and speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, Ciarán Whelan said there is more potential within Donegal than they are currently showing.

Often criticised for a ponderous build-up play, the former Dublin midfielder suggests a slight rejig is all that is required to make Declan Bonner’s side an even stronger force.

"There is serious talent there."

"They are one of the top teams at creating chances," he said, highlighting the number of players capable of breaking the line and kicking scores from distance.

"You feel there is another gear in them. There is serious talent there."

That extra gear could come in the form of mixing the gameplan up a little. The goals against Cavan came from direct balls – albeit two miscued point efforts – and Whelan believes that by mixing the play up a little and leaving Murphy on the edge of the square would ask