MICHAEL MURPHY is hoping that Donegal veterans Neil McGee and Frank McGlynn will continue their Donegal careers into 2020.
McGee and McGlynn are both 33 and have clocked up a lot of miles, but Murphy insists that the 2012 All-Ireland winners are well capable of another go.
McGee missed Saturday’s Super 8s defeat to Mayo in Castlebar through injury, while McGlynn has also had injury trouble in 2019.
Donegal captain Murphy, who was yesterday named as the PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month for July, feels the defenders still have plenty to offer.
“Everyone speaks about Frank and Neil as two of the older statesmen but they’re still relatively fresh,” Murphy said.
“The two boys were disappointed to pick up the injuries that they picked up this year and not to be able to contribute to the same degree that they wanted at the ‘Super 8’ stage.
“I know that within the dressing room they are two huge figures. They have younger souls at heart and are able to respond – they know the chat and the lingo with the younger lads.
“They’re still huge part of the whole thing. I’d be hopeful that they’d be mad hungry to get back again next and give it another lash.”
Murphy has also backed the return of Stephen Rochford to Tir Chonaill for next year. Although the feelings after Saturday’s loss remain raw, the Glenswilly man is clear on wanting Rochford – appointed as head coach by manager Declan Bonner last winter – back again.
Murphy said: “We’d be very hopeful as a group of players, we definitely want him [to stay]. He’s been a brilliant addition along with Karl [Lacey] and Declan [Bonner] and Gary Boyle.
“He’s top class. He’s responded well to the whole group and the group, by and large, have responded well to him too.
“He just challenges everybody and pushed buttons. It comes from that outside type of thing which has been positive. We’d be hopeful but we know the commitment is massive for him. You’d still want him involved next year without a doubt.”
