2022 Alumni Awardees Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy is Head of Sport at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Donegal and late last year retired as an intercounty gaelic footballer after 17 years’ representing Donegal. During that time he won three GAA All Star awards - in 2012, 2014 and 2019 - and was nominated for an All Star on four further occasions.

Michael was already a national star in his sport during his time as a DCU student where he played a central role in the University winning the Sigerson Cup in 2012.

He was named to captain the Donegal senior team in 2010 - one of the youngest ever and went on to be Donegal’s most successful captain in history leading his side to five Ulster titles and to only its second ever All-Ireland success, in 2012. He also represented his province for over a decade and represented Ireland against Australia in successive International Rules Series from 2010 to 2017, captaining the team in 2013 and 2014.

He has also achieved early success as a coach, guiding Letterkenny Institute of Technology (now ATU Donegal) to success in the Trench Cup in 2017. 

Away from the football field, in 2014 he established Micheal Murphy Sports which has developed as a successful business and leisure service provider for the Northwest region. 

Michael joined ATU Donegal in 2021 to take on a role which involves the planning and enhancement of all areas of sport in that college, the management of the sport/recreation facilities and programmes, and the delivery of a competitive sport and sports scholarship programme. 

BSc Physical Education with Biology, 2013