Spillane ‘cannot figure out’ how Michael Murphy is on Footballer of Year shortlist

Spillane feels Murphy wasn't even in Donegal's top 3 players

Murphy’s Donegal lost the All-Ireland final to Kerry in July, and was named alongside Kerry duo David Clifford and Joe O’Connor.

Having retired in 2022, 36-year-old Murphy has had an impressive return to inter-county football, scoring 19 points more than Donegal’s next highest points scorer Conor O’Donnell.

But speaking in his Irish Independent column, Spillane said: “I do take issue with one of the three nominations for player of the year.

“David Clifford and Joe O’Connor of Kerry were automatic choices. But I cannot figure out how Michael Murphy of Donegal got a nomination.

“Listen, I have huge, huge admiration for Michael Murphy. But let’s be realistic. Was he one of the top three players in Ireland this year? Most definitely not.

“Actually, come to think of it, was he Donegal’s best player this year? I don’t think so.

“In my opinion, that was Michael Langan. I would suggest their second-best player was Finbarr Roarty.

“And I would suggest that their third-best player was also their best forward, and it’s not Michael Murphy, but Conor O’Donnell.”

Spillane: How do you balls up such a long list?

Spillane was also upset with the All-Stars shortlist, saying: “You might think they couldn’t make a balls of such a long list. Well, congratulations to the esteemed selectors because they did just that.

“What’s the old joke about a camel being a horse designed by a committee?

“Well, this list of nominations is a dog’s dinner of opinion thrown into the mesh – leaving us with a camel in the shape of the 45 nominated players.

“Christ, where do I start? They have provided me with so much ammunition.

“Let’s have a go. Donegal got 10, Kerry got nine; the first time since 1996 that a beaten All-Ireland finalist has more nominations than the All-Ireland champions.

“Why? I haven’t a clue. To me, it’s a joke. Let me just remind people. Kerry in 2025 won the double: the Division 1 National Football League and the All-Ireland title.”