Michael Murphy has been backed to move into punditry following his inter-county retirement.
The Donegal great, 33, shocked the GAA world by calling time on his inter-county career on Wednesday night.
Murphy captained the county to their second All-Ireland title in 2012 as well as five Ulster crowns, with his decision coming as a big blow to recently-appointed Donegal manager Paddy Carr.
READ MORE: Donegal legend Michael Murphy retires from inter-county football
RTE's Des Cahill was among the many people to send Murphy well wishes following the announcement, with the outgoing Sunday Game presenter hinting that he would like to see him going into punditry.
Cahill, who will take up the hot seat on both Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 next year, tweeted: "I know where I would want to see Michael Murphy next season. An absolute GAA legend, gives a great insight into a game, and a lovely fella.
"Congrats on a wonderful career. I’ll never forget my #Donegal wife & her family going ballistic celebrating the many great days for Donegal!"
In a statement issued through Donegal GAA, Murphy appeared to suggest that the decision to retire was effectively made in the aftermath of the qualifier defeat to Armagh earlier this year and he explained that he no longer has the “energy and capacity” to perform at required levels.
The statement in full read: “To have the chance to combine a sport I love with the place I love for 20 years of my life is a privilege and honour for which I am very grateful. But I always knew the day would come when this chapter of my life would have to close. Now, that day has arrived.
“I still love Gaelic football and I still love Donegal. However, in the team I’m proud to have captained, to compete at the level which Donegal deserves requires the best I can give every day. I no longer feel I have the energy and capacity to reach the performance levels to give my best to Donegal.
“The last time we sat together in the changing rooms in Clones, I told my teammates that whatever happened in the future, Donegal will always go on. That’s still my belief. I cannot and never will be able to express how thankful I am to my teammates and managers and those giving expert support over the seasons. Friendships and bonds have been forged which go with me throughout my life.
“To those good people who support our county team and everyone I know in Donegal: they say we are different up here. Well, we are different in the best of ways. Thank you to all of you who have made this journey very special for me. I look forward to pulling on a Donegal jersey and joining you in the terraces to support our teams.
“To my own family and my club Glenswilly GAA, you’ve always been there for me, through the highs and the lows. It was you who made the sacrifices so that I could follow my dream. My family and my club are at the centre of all my plans for the future. They deserve the best of me too. Maybe in the years ahead, I’ll find new ways to offer something more to my home county.”
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