Murphy Tips Blues For Success

The Last Word by Brendan White

(first published in the April 2009 Longford Town programme)

Waterford-born shot stopper Brian Murphy believes that Waterford United are in the running to return to the League of Ireland Premier Division this season. Murphy, who is currently playing for Bohemians, has been in superb form since returning home following spells at Swansea City, Brentford, Peterborough United and Manchester City.

“I think they’ve a great chance,” Murphy said. “The First Division is probably tougher in terms of results because there’s a lot of very good strong teams there.” He believes the Blues will definitely be “there or there-abouts at the end of the season. With Stephen Henderson there now, they have a good man involved, so hopefully they can get back into the Premier Division.”

Having previously lived in England and now in Dublin with Bohemians, Murphy likes to keep check on the Blues. “It would be one of the results I’d always look out for.” And playing in front of the local Waterford crowd is something Murphy enjoys. “I played them 2 seasons ago in the league, it was nice going back down playing in front of Waterford people, it’d be something if I’m still around in Ireland, I’ll hopefully do again at some stage.”

Murphy says the Premier Division is where the Blues belong and “with success, hopefully big crowds might start coming back”. Having seen the newly built stand in the RSC now, Murphy believes “it’s a nice ground now with the other stand, its built for a good crowd to come in, it’d be nice to see them getting a bit of success.”

He told me that even though he was at Swansea for a few years, he “didn’t seem to be able to get into the manager’s plans,” and decided he wanted “to be closer to home.” He has enjoyed his football since returning to Ireland. With Bohs conceding just 13 league goals last season, he collected the Bohemians Supporters’ Club player-of-the-year trophy, and then in January was crowned the Eircom/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Goalkeeper of the Year.

Murphy says he’s enjoyed being home. “I think it shows when I go on the field, that because I’m enjoying my lifestyle outside of football that my football is going very well, and I think happiness on both counts is important.” Although enjoying his football in Ireland, he still has ambitions to return to England, but says he will wait for “that right move, to entice me to go back, it’s not just about football.” He is more than aware that if he ever wants to be considered for the Ireland squad, he probably needs to be playing “in a different country or different league, to get that recognition.”

This season, Murphy’s ambitions are to “keep fit and playing well” and to hopefully “win the league again” with Bohemians. Even though his plans are to return to England, he jokes “we’ll see what happens,” when asked whether he sees himself playing for the Blues someday.