After last year's success in the Nations League, this international break was an unexpected one for the Irish women’s national football team and was a mixed bag in terms of results
Two games against Italy and Wales saw Eileen Gleeson give caps to several returning stars in the midst of several injuries in the midfield.
There was also a debutant in Ireland's midst, none other than Emily Murphy who sported the number 10 jersey off the bench against Wales.
Your international debut is a special thing ☘️
Big congrats, Emily! 👏#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/Nh0L53QJeA— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) February 27, 2024
Murphy, who was born in England, qualifies for the Irish team by way of her father, a native of Rathfarnham in Dublin. Originally playing for her country of birth at the U-17 level, she ultimately declared for Ireland, a choice she attributes to the spirit of the Irish team as well as her family.
“My family knew, my dad tried to stay out of the decision-making process for me but I knew what he wanted and I knew what I wanted. It was just a matter of time.”
Before being named to the squad this month, Murphy was one of four players eligible to play for Ireland invited to a training camp in April 2021. Two years later, she decided to step out in a green jersey at senior level.
“Honestly, I’ve had the best ten, twelve days with these girls. It was a decision I knew I wanted to make and yeah, I don’t regret it at all and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made”, said Murphy speaking to Balls.ie and the Irish media following Ireland’s defeat against Wales.
Despite defeat to Wales, Murphy was content with her own showing off the bench and hopes to learn from the experience.
“Obviously a lot of emotions, a rush of everything I think. Look, we were 2-0 down, it wasn’t good enough in the first half and I knew what I needed to do or try and do and I did my best and worked as hard as I could.”
84' | Still battling away (0-2)#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/BJEEN64vEo
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) February 27, 2024
While she insists that football is her main priority, Murphy is currently studying political science and global studies at Wake Forest University in the US where she plays the sport at division one level.
Before moving across the Atlantic, Murphy had a brief stint at Chelsea. For a short period in 2021, she was also loaned to Birmingham City.
Even though Ireland’s unbeaten streak was broken on Tuesday, it is clear that the expertise of older players combined with the raw talent of newer ones proves Ruesha Littlejohn’s words that "Ireland is in safe hands.”
Murphy echoed her teammate's words, “We’re a young squad, the best is yet to come from these girls and I think that with preparation we’ve got coming and even in the last two weeks we had, yes tonight didn’t show it but we’ve got a really positive and exciting group.”
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