Former Blue Daryl Murphy May Hold The Key

The Republic of Ireland have a wonderful chance of progressing to the World Cup finals, if they can win tonight against Denmark in Dublin, and former Blues striker Daryl Murphy could be the catalyst to this success!

He may now be rather long in the tooth these days at 34, but he still possesses the brains and the physical presence to cause the Danes serious problems at the Aviva Stadium.

Unlike when he was at Ipswich and could not score for the Irish in twenty odd appearances, since he moved to pastures new things have changed, and he has now scored three times when wearing the beloved green shirt and incredibly perhaps, twice in one match!

Murphy rarely has a bad game and his aerial ability could be crucial this evening. If he is not scoring then the chances are, he will be creating opportunities for his teammates.

Up against him tonight could be a current Blue, in the form of wing back Jonas Knudsen. Due to injuries in the first leg he came off the bench and if he plays some part tonight, he will be capped by the country for the fourth and most important time.

Now I suppose it depends on what side of the fence you are sitting for this one but I dearly want the Irish to win and at just 25 years of age, Jonas will get other chances.

For Daryl Murphy however, this would be his first and only chance to perform on the World stage so I am desperate to see him suceed.

He can change things of this there is little doubt, and how can we forget his performances for Town in 2014-15 when he scored an incredible 27 Championship goals for the Tractor Boys! A lot of those goals were top draw and he still has it in his locker to turn on the flair when needs must!

It will not be easy for anyone this evening, in what promises to be a very tense affair but I think if he gets his chance then Murphy won’t disappoint, because he knows what the future holds!

David McGoldrick was not considered to be worthy of a squad place and I think on balance, this is probably a good call.

He baffles to deceive far too much for my liking and O’Neill’s assistance and former Blues boss Roy Keane, thinks that only when he acquires a ‘football brain’ will he become the player that his natural talent so richly deserves.

Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich