Town keeper Brian Murphy came on as a second half sub for the Republic of Ireland in a training game against the Republic’s amateur international side in Dublin yesterday. The professionals won the game 2-0 with Celtic’s Cillian Sheridan and Hull’s Paul McShane scoring the goals.
Blues keeper Murphy took over from Scunthorpe’s Joe Murphy at the break to make his first appearance for a full Irish side.
Murphy's team-mate Shane Duffy required life-saving surgery after the game, the Everton teenager having sustained a laceration to his liver in a collision with the opposition keeper.
The Town glovesman is hoping to win his first cap when Ireland take on Paraguay on Tuesday or when they face Algeria on Friday. Both friendlies are in Dublin.
Republic of Ireland: J Murphy (B Murphy 46), McShane, Duffy (Fahey 40), O'Dea, Cunningham, Lawrence, Green, Foley, Long, Sheridan, Best (Stokes 46).
Photo: ITFC