Murphy relishing Oriel return
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Dundalk FC goalkeeper Paul Murphy will make his first competitive appearance for the Lilywhites at Oriel Park in over six years when they welcome Galway United on Friday night, and the local stopper is relishing his return to action at the border venue.
Murphy spent the latter stages of the 2004 season at Dundalk, making two appearances, away to Athlone Town and at home to UCD, before departing. The 6ft1 ‘keeper, who turns 26 in a fortnight, returned to the club last July, and was handed his first taste of competitive football since his comeback against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium last Friday, following the 23rd-minute dismissal of Peter Cherrie.
‘Looking forward’
Dundalk were undone by three goals in a ten-minute spell either side of the half-time break, and reflecting on his surprise appearance, Murphy told dundalkfc.com: “It was a big shock, coming off the bench. But you take any chance you get. To be fair, it didn’t go too well for us, as a team, but I was delighted to get in and to play a few minutes. Last week is gone, we can’t dwell on that, so I’m just looking forward to Friday night now.
When you’re playing against Shamrock Rovers, who are the champions, and you only have ten men, it is going to be very hard for you, especially in their home ground as well. But I think we did well in the first half; we just started badly in the second half and it kind of killed the game. It’s very hard to get back into it with ten men. We’ll just look forward now, because as the Gaffer said, ‘you’re not going to win the league and you’re not going to lose the league in the first game of the season’. It’s over a 36-match season.”
Cherrie praise
Cherrie returned to the starting lineup for Monday’s trip to Glentoran, which saw Dundalk secure a valuable 1-0 win and goal-advantage ahead of the second leg of the sides’ Setanta Sports Cup quarter-final tie on 21 March. The Scottish star and Murphy, who have built a strong friendship during their time together at the club, have as usual been helping each other in training this week. “Pete has been great,” Paul said. “He has been great from the start, since I came in last year. We get on very well and he has been very supportive of me coming in. He was very supportive of me last week. He played well on Monday night and obviously I’m going to play on Friday, and I’m sure he will be 100 percent behind me.”
Murphy has admitted that a good friendship with his fellow goalkeeper is not something he has always had. “I know Pete is No1,” Murphy said. “We’ve worked well together in training and off-the-field as well we have become good friends. He is a lovely fella and it’s great that we get on, because I have been at clubs before where I haven’t got on with the other goalkeeper. It’s great to be able to get on with him and have a chat about different things.”
Galway threat
This Friday will see Murphy lineout for Dundalk in a competitive game for the first time since UCD visited Oriel Park on 11 November 2004. “I remember that game,” he recalled, “it was a disappointing night but I don’t think we had much to play for. We have a lot more to play for this time. We know it’s going to be a difficult game. I played against Galway last year for Drogheda and even watching them here last season, we know it’s going to be a tough and physical game. They’ll come here and they’ll try to get a draw out of the game but we’re pretty confident with the squad that we have that we can get a result.”
Asked if it was in his mind that Cherrie is likely to return for the visit of Bohemians next week, Murphy said: “To be honest, I’m not even thinking about that. I’m just concentrating on playing on Friday night and whatever happens next week happens. If Pete comes back, that’s the way it’s going to be.” Reflecting on his time at Oriel Park, Murphy said: “I’m loving every minute of it. Training and everything else is great.”
Foster thoughts
Meanwhile, manager Ian Foster has insisted that he has “no qualms” about Murphy taking over goalkeeping duties from Cherrie. “Paul has improved a great deal since he has come into the club,” Foster said. “Training with Peter Cherrie every day, being a professional, his attitude is always first-class, his work ethic is brilliant and his technical ability has improved, because he is working with better players.”
“I have absolutely no qualms about Paul Murphy being in goal tomorrow. I’m sure he will do a good job.” And the former Galway United boss insisted the game is an opportunity for Murphy to stake a claim for a regular starting role. “Absolutely,” Ian said. “Competition for places is good and if Paul puts in a decent performance against Galway then who knows.”
Murphy spent the latter stages of the 2004 season at Dundalk, making two appearances, away to Athlone Town and at home to UCD, before departing. The 6ft1 ‘keeper, who turns 26 in a fortnight, returned to the club last July, and was handed his first taste of competitive football since his comeback against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium last Friday, following the 23rd-minute dismissal of Peter Cherrie.
‘Looking forward’
Dundalk were undone by three goals in a ten-minute spell either side of the half-time break, and reflecting on his surprise appearance, Murphy told dundalkfc.com: “It was a big shock, coming off the bench. But you take any chance you get. To be fair, it didn’t go too well for us, as a team, but I was delighted to get in and to play a few minutes. Last week is gone, we can’t dwell on that, so I’m just looking forward to Friday night now.
When you’re playing against Shamrock Rovers, who are the champions, and you only have ten men, it is going to be very hard for you, especially in their home ground as well. But I think we did well in the first half; we just started badly in the second half and it kind of killed the game. It’s very hard to get back into it with ten men. We’ll just look forward now, because as the Gaffer said, ‘you’re not going to win the league and you’re not going to lose the league in the first game of the season’. It’s over a 36-match season.”
Cherrie praise
Cherrie returned to the starting lineup for Monday’s trip to Glentoran, which saw Dundalk secure a valuable 1-0 win and goal-advantage ahead of the second leg of the sides’ Setanta Sports Cup quarter-final tie on 21 March. The Scottish star and Murphy, who have built a strong friendship during their time together at the club, have as usual been helping each other in training this week. “Pete has been great,” Paul said. “He has been great from the start, since I came in last year. We get on very well and he has been very supportive of me coming in. He was very supportive of me last week. He played well on Monday night and obviously I’m going to play on Friday, and I’m sure he will be 100 percent behind me.”
Murphy has admitted that a good friendship with his fellow goalkeeper is not something he has always had. “I know Pete is No1,” Murphy said. “We’ve worked well together in training and off-the-field as well we have become good friends. He is a lovely fella and it’s great that we get on, because I have been at clubs before where I haven’t got on with the other goalkeeper. It’s great to be able to get on with him and have a chat about different things.”
Galway threat
This Friday will see Murphy lineout for Dundalk in a competitive game for the first time since UCD visited Oriel Park on 11 November 2004. “I remember that game,” he recalled, “it was a disappointing night but I don’t think we had much to play for. We have a lot more to play for this time. We know it’s going to be a difficult game. I played against Galway last year for Drogheda and even watching them here last season, we know it’s going to be a tough and physical game. They’ll come here and they’ll try to get a draw out of the game but we’re pretty confident with the squad that we have that we can get a result.”
Asked if it was in his mind that Cherrie is likely to return for the visit of Bohemians next week, Murphy said: “To be honest, I’m not even thinking about that. I’m just concentrating on playing on Friday night and whatever happens next week happens. If Pete comes back, that’s the way it’s going to be.” Reflecting on his time at Oriel Park, Murphy said: “I’m loving every minute of it. Training and everything else is great.”
Foster thoughts
Meanwhile, manager Ian Foster has insisted that he has “no qualms” about Murphy taking over goalkeeping duties from Cherrie. “Paul has improved a great deal since he has come into the club,” Foster said. “Training with Peter Cherrie every day, being a professional, his attitude is always first-class, his work ethic is brilliant and his technical ability has improved, because he is working with better players.”
“I have absolutely no qualms about Paul Murphy being in goal tomorrow. I’m sure he will do a good job.” And the former Galway United boss insisted the game is an opportunity for Murphy to stake a claim for a regular starting role. “Absolutely,” Ian said. “Competition for places is good and if Paul puts in a decent performance against Galway then who knows.”
