Rival fans hit Michael Murphy with bizarre criticism for actions against Mayo
Donegal broke Mayo hearts on Sunday, knocking them out of the All-Ireland SFC with the last kick of the game, as Ciarán Moore’s point after the buzzer gave them a one-point win.
Key to victory was man of the match Michael Murphy, with the veteran dominating as a target man and reliable scorer, finishing the game with 0-05.
However, there were rival fans who were not so complimentary of the Glenswilly man, accusing him of lacking class for running of the pitch at full time, rather than sign autographs and take photos with fans.
There’s a long list of reasons why Murphy wasn’t feeling like being crowded at the end of an exhausting encounter, and to use it as a stick to back him with is objectively a bitter stance to take.
Thankfully, these posts were called out on social media.
Quickest you've seen murphy move all year was at the end of the game when the kids want a photo and signature off him, tramp
— Jim Mallon (@jimmallon1888) June 15, 2025
All while Donegal wins, and Michael Murphy runs down the tunnel to avoid the children.
This is what you call, a touch of class 👏 https://t.co/x0SO1TlsLs
Michael Murphy running off the pitch past young kids looking pictures🤦🏻♀️ the ego needs deflated
— Lana Ó Connalláin (@lanakillops) June 15, 2025
Not the first Armagh fan to spout this. Happily the other posts are getting equally discredited. Murphy was man of the match so had to run to do the interview. He stayed for an hour after meeting fans outside the ground. Pics are there. As he always does. Armagh fans are so odd.
— Peter O'Leary (@PeterOL71332449) June 16, 2025
Is plenty of tramps is the world maybe you included but michael murphy definitely isn't 1 of them this is him nearly 3 hours after winning ulster and still had time for my brother and his friend pic.twitter.com/h8BQScYtFk
— pauric bell (@PauricBell) June 15, 2025
Players also had a long journey back to Donegal ahead of them, with Dr Hyde Park chosen as the neutral venue for the clash.
After the game, Donegal boss Jim McGuinness called out the GAA for its decision, given how much closer the ground is to Mayo.
He said: “We think it was very unfair to bring us here. It was the equivalent of bringing Mayo to Omagh and we also put in an email to the CCCC to say we couldn’t get a hotel in the area so we had to stay in Athlone. We had to go beyond the venue to come to play in the venue.
“So it was the equivalent of Mayo going to play us in Omagh and staying in Derry and I don’t believe that would happen. I think that would only happen because it’s us. I think it would only happen because it’s us. Disappointed in that.
“We made a case and we made the case early. It was on deaf ears. But, again, that’s for another day but I don’t like the fact that our supporters are always being taken advantage of.
“We had seven games up to this point. Nobody’s played more games than us. Nobody. And yet and all, we had the longest trek and all those people have to find a way to do all that. Breffni [Park] was an option. They’re going to say it wasn’t.
“I know that Clones was offered and that was rescinded. All you’re looking for is fairness and the middle is fair.”
The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10
Sports Joe
