Darragh Ó Sé: Kerry should have dealt with Michael Murphy the moment he punched Dylan Casey

The article delves into the remarkable transformation of the Donegal county football team under the guidance of manager Jim McGuinness, using Michael Murphy's journey as a central example. It posits that McGuinness's success is not rooted in any 'big secret' but rather in sheer hard work and relentless repetition, a philosophy that has drilled the Donegal players into a highly organized and effective unit. The piece contrasts Donegal's current standing with their previous struggles, noting their relegation to Division Two and early exits from championships before McGuinness took over.

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The secret is there’s no big secret. Just work and repetition.

Under McGuinness's tutelage, Donegal has seen a natural progression of success. In his first year, they secured promotion from Division Two, won the Ulster championship, and reached an All-Ireland semi-final. The following year saw them remain in Division One, win Ulster again, and advance to an All-Ireland final. The current year, their third under McGuinness, has already seen them win the league outright, with aspirations for a third consecutive Ulster title. The author emphasizes that this consistent improvement is a testament to the team's dedication and McGuinness's strategic approach, particularly in preparing for high-stakes games at Croke Park.

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You only need to look at them in action and you can see how well drilled they are.

Beyond the team's performance, the article pivots to a critical observation regarding player conduct, specifically referencing an incident where Michael Murphy punched Dylan Casey. The author, Darragh Ó Sé, strongly advocates for immediate on-field accountability for such actions, irrespective of a player's status or reputation. He argues that allowing such incidents to slide, and deferring disciplinary action to committees, undermines team discipline and sends the wrong message. From a Kerry perspective, Ó Sé suggests that the focus after the league final loss should not be on the result, but on addressing such behavioral issues directly and decisively within the team environment.

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He has built them back up, step by step.