New Town signing Brian Murphy says he was surprised to be called into the Republic of Ireland squad for their World Cup play-offs against France. The keeper, who formally joins the Blues in January, received his first senior call-up the day his move to Portman Road was confirmed.
Murphy, whose former Bohemians side were crowned the League of Ireland Champions last week, said: "It’s just nice to get a call-up, I never expected it for a game like this.
"To be honest, I never thought of getting into the squad until maybe I got to England and was playing and doing OK. This week has come very quick for me, I’ve only had a couple of days to think about it and prepare for it.
"If I don’t make an impression this week, another chance mightn’t come. I’ll be doing my best to make a good impression.
"So I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m one injury away from playing, hopefully that doesn’t happen. Shay is a world class keeper, you need your best players to succeed and he’s certainly one of them. I’m here to make an impression in training and hopefully push on.
"Giovanni Trapattoni just said enjoy yourself. There was no big sit down, there are more important things this week than sitting me down to have a chat. I’m here to enjoy training and make an impression.”
The 26-year-old doesn’t expect his new manager Roy Keane to be making contact while he’s away: "I probably wouldn’t expect him to be in touch because he’s not my manager yet. But it gives me a good boost going over there and even for the club, when people say: ‘Who’s this fella coming in?’ The fact that I’ve had a call-up to the squad is something that will stand to me.”
The Republic of Ireland play France in Dublin on Saturday (Sky Sports One, 7.30pm) and Paris on Wednesday and manager Roy Keane is confident his nation has what it takes to make it to South Africa: "It’s an intriguing game. France are a very dangerous team, they’ve got some good players, but good players don’t necessarily make a good team, and Ireland have a good team.
"Individually, France have better players, but Ireland have shown themselves to be a very good team over the years, and that’s what you need, a team. Ireland are more than capable of getting through, no doubt about that."
Town have several Irish internationals but Keane says his current players aren't worthy of inclusion at present: "None of my players deserve to be near a squad at the moment. They’ve not done enough.
"I’ve looked at the last few Irish matches and they’ve done very well. The manager’s done brilliant, so why change it? I think there’s uproar with one or two other players being left out but Trapattoni’s done a brilliant job there. I think the players who got him there deserve to continue that.”
Meanwhile, there are a number of current Town players in international action this weekend. Asmir Begovic is also likely to be an unused keeper in a World Cup play-off as Bosnia take on Portugal in Lisbon on Saturday and then at home in Zenica on Wednesday.
Tamás Priskin is with the Hungary squad which is playing a friendly in Belgium on Saturday, while Jaime Peters and Canada take on Macedonia in Strumica on Saturday and Poland in Bydgoszcz on Wednesday, also friendlies.
Out-of-favour midfielder Owen Garvan is with the Republic of Ireland squad for their UEFA U21 European Championship qualifying fixtures against Georgia and Armenia.
The Irish youngsters take on the Georgians in Tbilisi on Saturday and Armenia in Yerevan on Tuesday. Ireland currently sit fifth in their six-team group having drawn three and lost one of their four fixtures.
Academy striker Ronan Murray is with the Republic of Ireland U19 squad for their UEFA Championship first phase qualifiers in San Marino. Ireland face the hosts today, Albania on Sunday and Italy on Wednesday.
Central defender Gareth McAuley was withdrawn from the full Northern Ireland squad playing Serbia in a friendly due to his thigh injury.