Murphy in line for Donegal return against Galway

By Michael McMullan

MICHAEL Murphy is expected to be in the selection mix when Division One pacesetters Donegal welcome Galway on Sunday.

The All-Ireland winning skipper has played 41 minutes across their home games with Kerry and Mayo, but wasn’t in Armagh last weekend.

“We just didn’t travel him,” manager Jim McGuinness said after Sunday’s win. “We haven’t done that. In away games, he normally doesn’t travel. We’ll get him ready for next week, all going well. He’s in a good place.”

McGuinness spoke of Murphy’s return after surgery and getting his fitness back up again, having not started a game since last summer’s All-Ireland final.

They continue to be without Ciarán Thompson and Dáire Ó Baoill while Shaun Patton will be unavailable “for another while” after surgery on a troublesome ankle injury.

McGuinness could be without his other two St Eunan’s players – Shane O’Donnell and Ciarán Moore – both replaced in the victory over Armagh.

“He rolled his ankle, so hopefully it’s just that,” McGuinness said of Moore, hinting at reshuffling his pack this weekend.

“What we’re trying to do is develop a bit of depth, develop the younger players and keep developing the culture that we’re looking to move forward with for the rest of the year,” he said of their mantra.

“We’re on eight points now and have three games to go, so we’ll see where we go.

“We’ll probably be down a couple of men for next week so hopefully other fellas will come in and get that chance.”