Murphy praises former boss Fenlon
Credit:
Ipswich Town goalkeeper Brian Murphy is looking forward to seeing a
few familiar faces on Tuesday evening when the Ireland senior team
takes on Paul Doolin’s Under 23’s.
Ex Bohemians shot stopper Murphy left Dalymount to join the Tractor Boys in January and his performances were instrumental in helping to push Roy Keane’s men away from the relegation zone. The Waterford born keeper says that he will always be grateful to Bohemians for helping him re-launch his career following some disappointing spells at Manchester City and Swansea.
“Initially when I came back to Ireland I had no real career plan in mind. Thankfully Bohs took me on board and it went really well. So much so that going back over to England was a big decision. I spent a lot of time thinking it over but I wanted to push forward in my career. All things said, if Ipswich weren’t interested I would have been happy to stay at Bohs but when the opportunity presented itself I knew I had to take it” he said.
Murphy will always be remembered fondly by the Phibsboro faithful for his massive contribution in their back to back title winning seasons. During his time at the club the keeper, 27, kept a staggering 63 clean sheets in 97 games played. Murphy’s performances were also a key part in helping the Gypsies win the League Cup and the famous FAI Cup final against Derry City.
The 2008 Player of the Year still keeps a close eye on the Airtricity League and expects this season’s title race to be even closer than the last two years. “I think the league was always going to be tougher this year. It was hard to do back to back titles but we did it and I’m sure the lads are even more focused this season. I’m delighted that they [Bohemians] won the Setanta Cup because it means Pat [Fenlon] has won all the trophies that there have been available to win in Ireland and it’s a massive achievement”.
Murphy, who started 16 games for Ipswich conceding only 17 goals, is full of praise for his former manager. He thinks that Fenlon’s decision to stay at Dalymount will lead to even more success for the club this year. “For whatever reasons it didn’t happen with Dundee United, but for Bohs it was great news to keep a manager like Pat. He was excellent in the couple of years that I was at the club and he really improved the team. I suppose the proof of how good a manager he is, is when he puts all his medals down on the table in a couple of years.”
Despite the Dundee United deal collapsing the ‘keeper is sure that his former manager wont remain in Ireland for much longer. “For Pat I’m sure he would eventually like to manage in England or Scotland because their will come a time when he can only can win so much in Ireland. When it comes, its Pat’s decision to make but compared to the managers and coaches that I have worked with over the years he is right up there with the best.”
Bohemians duo Paddy Madden and Conor Powell are represented in the U23 panel and Murphy has highlighted his former team mates as players that Giovanni Trapattoni should keep a close eye on.
“There are a couple of Bohs lads that I obviously rate, especially Conor. I know Conor has been mentioned in the press after he impressed the manager and hopefully they will impress him again on Tuesday night. I think he has proved that he is the best left back in the country and I’m sure that it’s only a matter of time before he grabs the attention of the senior boss.”
Ex Bohemians shot stopper Murphy left Dalymount to join the Tractor Boys in January and his performances were instrumental in helping to push Roy Keane’s men away from the relegation zone. The Waterford born keeper says that he will always be grateful to Bohemians for helping him re-launch his career following some disappointing spells at Manchester City and Swansea.
“Initially when I came back to Ireland I had no real career plan in mind. Thankfully Bohs took me on board and it went really well. So much so that going back over to England was a big decision. I spent a lot of time thinking it over but I wanted to push forward in my career. All things said, if Ipswich weren’t interested I would have been happy to stay at Bohs but when the opportunity presented itself I knew I had to take it” he said.
Murphy will always be remembered fondly by the Phibsboro faithful for his massive contribution in their back to back title winning seasons. During his time at the club the keeper, 27, kept a staggering 63 clean sheets in 97 games played. Murphy’s performances were also a key part in helping the Gypsies win the League Cup and the famous FAI Cup final against Derry City.
The 2008 Player of the Year still keeps a close eye on the Airtricity League and expects this season’s title race to be even closer than the last two years. “I think the league was always going to be tougher this year. It was hard to do back to back titles but we did it and I’m sure the lads are even more focused this season. I’m delighted that they [Bohemians] won the Setanta Cup because it means Pat [Fenlon] has won all the trophies that there have been available to win in Ireland and it’s a massive achievement”.
Murphy, who started 16 games for Ipswich conceding only 17 goals, is full of praise for his former manager. He thinks that Fenlon’s decision to stay at Dalymount will lead to even more success for the club this year. “For whatever reasons it didn’t happen with Dundee United, but for Bohs it was great news to keep a manager like Pat. He was excellent in the couple of years that I was at the club and he really improved the team. I suppose the proof of how good a manager he is, is when he puts all his medals down on the table in a couple of years.”
Despite the Dundee United deal collapsing the ‘keeper is sure that his former manager wont remain in Ireland for much longer. “For Pat I’m sure he would eventually like to manage in England or Scotland because their will come a time when he can only can win so much in Ireland. When it comes, its Pat’s decision to make but compared to the managers and coaches that I have worked with over the years he is right up there with the best.”
Bohemians duo Paddy Madden and Conor Powell are represented in the U23 panel and Murphy has highlighted his former team mates as players that Giovanni Trapattoni should keep a close eye on.
“There are a couple of Bohs lads that I obviously rate, especially Conor. I know Conor has been mentioned in the press after he impressed the manager and hopefully they will impress him again on Tuesday night. I think he has proved that he is the best left back in the country and I’m sure that it’s only a matter of time before he grabs the attention of the senior boss.”
