Daryl Murphy is eyeing a double end-of-season target — to secure a play-off place with Town and earn himself an international call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad bound for the Euro 2016 finals.

For the time being, it’s a case of club before country, as Murphy explained: “I’m not even thinking too much about that to be honest. I know we have a few games in March but I need to be playing and doing well if I’m going to have any chance of getting there. Hopefully it will drive me on but we’ll see.”

The Republic, managed by Martin O’Neill and his assistant, ex-Town boss Roy Keane, have been drawn in Group E alongside Italy, Belgium and Sweden for the month-long tournament hosted by France and which kicks off on June 10th.

Murphy said: “I think it’s a brilliant draw. You go into the major tournaments looking to play against the best players and the best teams.

“We’ve got a very tough group but we will go there as underdogs and hopefully surprise some people.

“We’re always the underdogs in the big competitions and this one is no different. We know it’s a difficult group but we will go there to enjoy the occasion and try to do our very best.”

The Republic’s clash with Italy will evoke memories of their unforgettable World Cup success in 1994 when Jack Charlton’s side emerged victorious at the Giants Stadium in New York thanks to the only goal of the game from Ray Houghton.

Murphy recalled: “I was only 11 at the time and I was watching on the telly. Ireland had a very good team and I remember it was absolutely roasting over there. They were throwing little plastic bags full of water on to the pitch for the players.

“It was a great goal by Ray Houghton and a great result for us. It would be great if we could get something against the Italians in France as well.

“I was playing on the street with my friends back then, dreaming like all the others that one day I would be playing in a major tournament but never really believing it would actually happen.

“It was all about the enjoyment of playing back then and watching your country do well when they were televised.

“At that time I’m not sure I was a kid with fantastic ability who looked as if I would go on to become a professional. It was the following season that I really started playing but it didn’t really start going well for me until I was 14 or 15.

“That was when I really got into it and realised that I was actually alright. It took me a bit longer than some others.”

Another Town striker, long-term absentee David McGoldrick, faces a tougher battle to make the Republic squad, requiring a return to action before the end of the season and hoping it will leave him with enough time to sufficiently impress Messrs O’Neill and Keane.

Photo: Action Images

RaymondovicBlue added 13:35 - Feb 26 Murph - you could well be key to both your goals ... just please try to score more than two before the end of the season and club and country will both be happy :)
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jabberjackson added 22:29 - Feb 26 I read the previous comment by Raymond..., thought that's a decent comment Very surprised to see a down arrow Investigated it Eeessexboy Possibly the most negative person trolling the site Don't down arrow for the sake of it It really does undermine a brilliant site And shows you to be a bit pathetic really
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