Michael Murphy thinks the appointment of Jim McGuinness as Donegal's new senior football manager promises great things for the county.
McGuinness was ratified in the role on Monday and will replace John Joe Doherty at the helm of the Ulster side. Murphy has much experience of having worked with the new senior boss as he was part of the U21 side that McGuinness led to this year’s All-Ireland final before their hopes were dashed late on by Dublin.
The senior Donegal side did not fare so well in 2010 as they were ousted from the Ulster Championship by Down at the quarter-final stage, that defeat coming in extra-time before Armagh eased past them in the qualifiers.
Murphy, 2009’s Young Footballer of the Year, hopes to see much improvement on that in the future and having gotten all the way to an All-Ireland final at under-age level with McGuinness, he thinks that form can be transferred to the senior side.
"Maybe we have unfinished business, and this does give some of us the chance to go again with the same people involved," the young forward was quoted as saying by the Irish Daily Mirror.
"To get Jim in good and early gives him the chance to get around the games and get cracking straight away. He brings his own thing to the table, similar to the U21s it's all about the professional approach. He's a very good communicator and leader, and I'm sure that all the boys will be looking forward to working with him.
"There's no hiding from the fact that besides the National League (title in 2007) and U21 wins that we've been starved of success recently. Everyone is going to get a fair crack of the whip and he'll leave no stone unturned."
Murphy also added that he has no intention of quitting Ireland after being linked with a switch to Australian Rules Football. He will be back with Donegal next year and hopes that retired captain Kevin Cassidy changes his mind and does likewise.
"I'll definitely be around next year," he added. "As regards Kevin, from a player's point of view, I'd love him to reconsider his decision. He can still play a vital part in the side's future."