Former Town Stars Bag Big International Goals

In a game the Republic of Ireland simply had to win, it was former Blues striker Daryl Murphy who got all the goals!

His brace ensured that the Irish are still in the race for a place in the World Cup play-offs and means that their final match against The Welsh, has now become a winner takes all encounter!

Of course, in the unlikely event that Serbia were to lose to Georgia, then both nations would stand a chance of qualification but in reality, the battle that takes place tomorrow night in Cardiff will be the deciding factor in terms of who makes the World Cup play-offs.

And Wales won away thanks to another former Blue Tom Lawrence, whose fierce strike near the end of their game away in Georgia, was reminiscent of so many of his wonderful goals for Town.

In the absence of Gareth Bale, it was difficult to see where a goal would come from but Tom’s thunderous strike ensured that the visitors left will all three points.

Chris Coleman’s side will qualify automatically for next summer’s tournament in Russia, if they can beat the Republic in Cardiff on Monday and Serbia fail to overcome Georgia.

Daryl Murphy however will be equally determined to continue his rich vein of form and this international will not lack passion!

Town supporters will be perhaps relieved to hear that David McGoldrick played no part in proceedings and was not even included on the bench, although he trained throughout the week with the Irish.

Tomorrow night however, I think Irish manager Martin O’Neill will employ him from the bench because if things started to go pear-shaped in Wales, then he will need lots of attacking options.

Bersant Celina won his seventh international cap as Kosovo lost 2-0 at home to Ukraine, in what was their penultimate World Cup qualifier and he came through it with no ill-effects apparently.

Kevin Bru is set to win his 12th international cap when Mauritius face Equatorial Guinea away in a friendly later today and the out of favour Town midfielder is likely to captain the side again.


Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich