Emily Murphy delighted with electing to join up with Girls in Green

Emily Murphy on Ireland debut against Wales in Tallaght, 27th February 2024

Emily Murphy on Ireland debut against Wales in Tallaght, 27th February 2024 Credit: Martin Doherty (ETPhotos)

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Next week Super Tuesday will see the greatest number of US States hold their presidential primary elections, including North Carolina. It was a tough Tuesday this week for Ireland who lost to Cymru 2-0 with Emily Murphy, who is based in North Carolina, handed her debut.

Murphy will no doubt be watching election affairs with interest next week as she is studying in Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem with her degree majoring in political science (with a minor in global studies). Only US citizens can vote in the primary but Murphy is very happy with her Irish passport having received international clearance this month to play for Ireland.

“Honestly I've had the best 10 or 12 days with these girls,” said Murphy about joining up for this Ireland squad when speaking after the 2-0 friendly defeat to Wales. “It was a decision I knew I wanted to make.”

The 20-year-old, who was born in Windsor, played underage football for England having been on the books at Chelsea and Birmingham City (playing 13 WSL games in total). She is qualified for Ireland through her Dad Jonathan who is from Rathfarnham, and she spent time in the south country Dublin suburb as a child.

She was part of an Ireland training camp back in 2021 but didn’t declare for Ireland at that stage as she made the move to the US where she is combining playing with Wake Forest Demon Deacons and her studies.

“I think that during that time I was in trianing with Vera Pauw I was making many life decisions - whether to stay home or go to the USA. I wasn't ready to make both of them. I was very young. I got my head screwed on and made the right decision.

"Eileen put some trust with me. I had a really good time tonight despite the result.”

Partnership

Murphy was introduced by Gleeson at half-time and her manager was delighted with her contribution. Gleeson said: “Kyra (Carusa) and Emily gave us a good partnership. Emily was very good on debut and there is more to come from her. They allowed us to hold the ball up and play a bit better.”



The Ireland boss went on to explain how she reached out to Murphy on taking the Ireland job. “She was in one camp before when I was the assistant (to Vera Pauw). She was very young then, still exploring her pathways.

“I came in and the conversation was dead in the water, so I reached out and said, ‘will we have a chat or shall we close the loop?’ She said, ‘we’ll definitely have a chat!’ So here we are, and we’re super happy to have her on board. I think she’s a great addition as a character and as a player."

Murphy admitted that “there was a lot of emotion” when she got the call to come on at half time for her debut.

“I was trying to imagine the thoughts and feelings going through my Mum and my Grandad who were in the stands.”

Reflecting on her first international appearance off the bench and the potential for this team she said: “It is always going to be tough going in 2-0 down. We didn't start the game the way we wanted to. We knew that. We were going to grow from that and we were much better in the second half.



"We are a young squad. The best is yet to come from these girls. Tonight didn't show it but we've got a really positive and exciting group.”

Ireland will learn the result of the teams they will face in EURO 2025 qualifying when the draw is made in UEFA HQ in Nyon on what is Super Tuesday. The Girls in Green are part of the top level League A group following promotion after winning all six of their League B UEFA Nations League games last year.

“We deserve to be here and we have proved that and we are ready for whatever opposition comes out.”

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile