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Michael Murphy at last week's International Rules launch in Cavan. INPHO/James Crombie

Donegal's Michael Murphy set for club versus country dilemma

The Irish captain has a county final on the weekend of the first International Rules test.

IRELAND CAPTAIN MICHAEL Murphy is set for a club versus country dilemma as the Donegal county final is pencilled in for Sunday October 20th, the day after Ireland face Australia in the first International Rules test.

Murphy helped his club Glenswilly to a 1-14 to 0-16 success over Ardara in Saturday’s Donegal county senior football semi-final.

They now face Killybegs, semi-final victors over Malin yesterday, in a decider that has been confirmed by Donegal county board chiefs for October 20th.

Yet Ireland are set to face Australia in the International Rules first test  in Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday October 19th.

The scheduling presents a dilemma for Murphy and even if the Donegal county final is pushed back a week, it would then clash with the second International Rules test in Croke Park on October 26th.

To further complicate matters, Donegal’s club champions are due to play Antrim side St Gall’s in the quarter-final of the Ulster senior club football championship on Sunday November 3rd.

Management

Speaking to TheScore.ie on the issue last week, Ireland manager Paul Earley expressed his hope that county boards would be flexible with fixtures.

“That’s an issue as it is with a lot of players. Some county boards have put up their hands and said they would accommodate.

“It’s difficult because club competitions are being pushed back further and further in the year. We want to make sure we don’t overload them and that they are fresh as well and not over trained. It is challenging.”

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6 Comments
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    Mute Steve
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    Oct 7th 2013, 1:26 PM

    Play for your club as they come first. I used to like the international series but it has become a nuisance now as there are too many clashes with club fixtures. The clubs have to sit around all summer in some counties and then when it comes to their busy time this series interferes with it every few years and causes club v country dilemas like this. The clubs must be left feeling like second class citizens

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    Mute Luke Peyton
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    Oct 7th 2013, 4:37 PM

    He has to play for his club instead of this mickey mouse competition that the aussies don’t care about anymore

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    Mute Steve
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    Oct 7th 2013, 5:40 PM

    Yea I don’t see any dilema. He probably doesn’t either but the media love a good club v country article even if there is none. Yes there is a clash if fixtures but I’m sure Murphy’s heart is only in the club final

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    Mute Patricia McCafferty
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    Oct 7th 2013, 9:16 PM

    The international rules trophy is named. After one of the greatest GAA players ever in Cormac McAnallen and should be given more respect. Come on Murphy.

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    Mute Emmett McNamara
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    Oct 7th 2013, 3:18 PM

    Change the club fixture to the following weekend. End of.

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    Mute Steve
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    Oct 7th 2013, 3:58 PM

    Read the article properly and you will see that this is not an option so no it’s not end of as you say yourself!

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