Town striker Daryl Murphy has been named in the Republic of Ireland 23 for the European Championships in France but fellow Blues frontman David McGoldrick has missed out.

Murphy, 33, always seemed the more likely of the two to make the final squad, having previously won 21 full caps and been involved throughout the qualification campaign, albeit without scoring.

McGoldrick, who has won four caps, returned to action with the Blues in the final weeks of the season having been out with a hamstring injury since December and featured in both Ireland friendlies in the last few days.

The 28-year-old's chances of making the 23 seemed to increase yesterday with news that Kevin Doyle had remained in the US and Robbie Keane had suffered a calf injury.

However, Ireland's veteran 67-goal all-time top scorer has been named in the squad and will captain in France, where Ireland play Belgium, Italy and Sweden in the group stages.

Manager Martin O'Neill still has scope to change his squad if Keane or James McCarthy, who is also carrying a knock, don't recover as hoped with UEFA allowing injured players to be replaced up until a side’s opening game.

Murphy has been handed the number 21 shirt, while former Blues skipper Jon Walters has also been selected by O'Neill and his assistant, former Town boss Roy Keane.

Meanwhile, one-time Town centre-half Gareth McAuley has been named in the Northern Ireland squad, former striker Tamas Priskin is in Hungary's 23, ex-defender Freddie Veseli in Albania's travelling party and former Blues loanee Jonny Williams is in the Wales squad.

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 22:42 - May 31 Well done Murph, unlucky Didz at least he'll have a full pre season with us this season
8

BlueNomad added 23:10 - May 31 Didz will be in the World Cup qualifiers starting in September.
2

iaintaylorx added 23:31 - May 31 Slightly odd. Was poor against a very poor Belarus side tonight, but guess he gives them a different option. Glad that Didzy can get fully fit and rest ready for next season and best of luck to Murph!
3

Eireannach_gorm added 23:42 - May 31 Cant believe Meyler gets in ahead of McGoldrick.
2

HarryS_H added 00:27 - Jun 1 At first look at the squad photos I thought they'd put mcgoldrick in goal... It's a shame for the guy, I think he deserves a shot at it but he'll be on injury standby and I guess it does give him some time off to get ready for what is hopefully his best season and make it so he's one of the first names on that team sheet for the future. Good luck to murph, as he said in a previous interview this could be his last shot at a major tournament so let's hope he gets the chance to shine on the international stage! Good luck lads!

11

BrettenhamBlue added 00:43 - Jun 1 2 fit strikers. A bit risky IMO. Mcgoldrick is good as a utility player and certainly is ahead of Meyler. Are they expecting no injuries to strikers during the competition. Say Keane isn't fit to play. An injury to Shane Long and they would be relying on Murphy and Walters up-front (with no striker subs). I know Mclean has played up front before but its nowhere near his best position.

3

prebbs007 added 05:37 - Jun 1 O'Neil clearly an idiot aswell as our dinosaur. Didzy has skill, vision, creativity, can pass, shoot, control and influence games..... Murphy is a useless past it donkey who had one fluke season. Very poor decision !!!
-8

BlueNomad added 06:51 - Jun 1 Why aren't you an experienced international manager Prebbs? Do you have a good word ever for people who manage our players? Has it occurred to you that O'Neill needs a balanced squad so that he can be flexible with tactics? That means including Murph.
2

Bluebell added 08:04 - Jun 1 I am really surprised at Didz missing out but guess they are sticking to the regulars and we have to trust the manager. He obviously hasn't been impressed by what he has seen. Well done Murph for getting in the squad. At least Didzy won't get injured and, as someone else has said, will get a full pre-season with us. I am sure he is gutted to have missed out.
2

corfu72 added 08:20 - Jun 1 Very well done DM.Have a great time,and hope you get to play.Feel very sorry for D.Mc,but at least he will I hope be well rested and fully fit for the start of next season.We really need his class and skills.Good luck to both of you.
4

Currie10 added 09:44 - Jun 1 I agree scoring 27 goals over a season is clearly a fluke..................... definitely........
4

JimmyJazz added 10:16 - Jun 1 This is like England selecting Andy Carroll over Danny Welbeck, very strange choice. Can see NI having a much better tournament than ROI
2

JimmyJazz added 10:17 - Jun 1 Maybe Martin O'Neill plans on playing the old hoofball over there
3

runningout added 10:22 - Jun 1 a bit sad that these days we are dabbling to find players ex players, loanees to mention, that are taking part in these international competitions... In our day we didn't have to try too hard :-/
1

BackTheBlues added 13:41 - Jun 1 Is it pessimistic of me to say... "I wonder how long it is until he gets injured during pre-season" Hope, like all, he gets a full rest and pre-season in him - Us fans are owed that I Think!
1

prebbs007 added 17:55 - Jun 1 Yeah nice one Pragmatic !! 21 games zero goals. Murphy is so good !!! And as for you Currie10 he got 27 goals when we had creative players supplying him regularly. He did nothing this season and was a liability with his lack of ability. He suits the dinosaur's hoofball tactics but has no place in international football where defenders laugh at his inability to do anything except occupy a space for a lump forward hence no goals at that level despite lots of chances. He is well past his best and we need much much better if we want to be top half of championship !!!

1

happybeingblue added 18:08 - Jun 1 good luck big Daryl I shall be cheering on Ireland and England lets hope dids gets called up if there is an injury .....mcarthy and keane both carrying an injury so you never know
0

Cloddyseedbed added 18:31 - Jun 1 International football wrecked Murphy's season last year I feel as he had no rest and was tired after his successful season in the league. He returned home and was given more rest when players returned to pre-season training and returned 2 weeks later. This season was stop start for him and he didn't get going due to tiredness and injuries. Although I know he was desperate to go like McGoldrick I would have preferred them both to miss out, rest for a few weeks then return to pre-season training raring to go for us. That's a purely selfish thought from me I know!! I however wish him well.

0

brian_a_mul added 18:45 - Jun 1 If Didz was fit all season he would have played for Ireland during qualifiers and have a seat on the plane. james Mccarthy is an injury doubt so meyler can play the def midfield role if needed. If Robbie Keane and /or McCarthy don't make it didz will get called. He still had a decent chance.
0

runningout added 23:37 - Jun 1 they are taking the ferry...!
0

Radlett_blue added 08:35 - Jun 2 Murph is lucky to be there after an injury hit, disappointing season with Town, while no goals in over 20 internationals tells its own story. Hope he stays fit & comes back strong next season, but he is 33 & realistically we need a younger option to lead the line.
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls