Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill says Blues striker Daryl Murphy is playing “exceptionally, exceptionally well” having watched Town’s six-goal top scorer in action on several occasions this season. Murphy, 31, is currently with O'Neill's Irish squad ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Germany.

Murphy, who has previously been capped 12 times usually as a sub, may well have broken into O’Neill’s thoughts for a role against the Gibraltarians in Dublin on Saturday evening (Sky Sports HD3/3 4.45pm). Ireland subsequently face Germany in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday.

“He has played, very, very well indeed,” O’Neill said. “I have watched him a number of times now.

“I think that I have been following him around, I've almost been stalking him at the moment. He has played very well and got plenty of confidence.

“Speaking to him he feels he is playing in his right position at the centre-forward. He did have a spell, maybe a season and a half or two seasons ago, out wide left but he feels more comfortable up there and he has played exceptionally, exceptionally well.”

Loanee Blues striker Conor Sammon was named in the provisional squad but was left out of the final 27-man squad for the Gibraltar game announced at the weekend.

Photo: Action Images

Suffolk_n_Good added 20:11 - Oct 8 Deserves his place in the Irish squad, has been outstanding for us this season :)
7

scottrock added 20:14 - Oct 8 I'm so pleased for him, as I do admit that when we signed him, I wasn't overly excited but this season and towards the end of last when Didsy was injured, he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet. Both goals against Forest, his first against Fulham and the one against Stockdale have been outstanding. I also love the way that he uses his strength and stays on his feet, when many strikers would go to ground. Go on Murph!!

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4-4-2 added 20:21 - Oct 8 i really hope that he doesn't get injured while away, because i think that we rely on big murph more than we think we do. even when he doesn't score he is a constant threat for the other teams defenders.
3

Fixed_It added 20:33 - Oct 8 He has been superb - and seems to be getting better all the time. Was great last season, and even better this. At the moment he is the complete centre-forward.
5

irishtim added 20:46 - Oct 8 Love to see him score for us on saturday. Deserves it.
4

essextractorboy93 added 20:57 - Oct 8 He is having an outstanding season for us. Mick definitely knows how to get the best out of the players we have. Hopefully he can get a goal in one of these games.
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rfretwell added 21:28 - Oct 8 Murph really stepped up to the mark when Didsy was out last season and has continued it even more so to date. Great credit to TC who Mick says works so hard with our forwards especially. More Ireland caps will be well deserved
3

scooterblue added 22:35 - Oct 8 It is a shame Murphy isn't a couple of years younger.
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jabberjackson added 22:49 - Oct 8 The 2 goals that DM scored on Sunday were so Paul Mariner in every way Quite uncanny Anyone see the similarities?
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 06:39 - Oct 9 I must confess that I was for a long time an unbeliever. But even I have now seen the light!
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brian_a_mul added 09:02 - Oct 9 He has been outstanding for us, a great man to lead the line. He is very intelligent, strong , good in the air and has proven he can score goals. Dont forget he also has a good touch and has decent pace. A real handful for any defense in this form. I hope he starts against Gib, its really set up for him. Its the type of game we need some one (Murph is best at this) to hold the ball up front to let the mid work further up the pitch. Robbie Keane tends to drift around/fall back in to midfield. Murph would be a great partner for him. Ireland will have most possession so Murph will have lots of opportunity to be involved and hopefully get a few goals. If he does then he will be moving up the pecking order for Germany!

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BlueandTruesince82 added 19:11 - Oct 9 Murph to have an easy 90 against Gib grabbing a hatfull and then and 88th min against Germany grabbing the winner, Back at town injury free and full of confidence post int.
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Hiltzkooler added 21:18 - Oct 9 The bloke is selfless in his play, plays for the team and is a Town stalwart in a grim period for the club that is only now glowing bright...I hope he gets the goals for his country he deserves and continues to be a star fir our club....
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