x

Murphy's Ireland Draw Play-Off First Leg - Ipswich Town News

Striker Daryl Murphy played the full 90 minutes and won his 18th cap as the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first leg of their Euro 2016 play-off in a very foggy Zenica.

During a second half which was played behind a thick veil of fog, Ireland took the lead in the 82nd minute via Robbie Brady but Edin Džeko hit back for the home side three minutes later.

Murphy played up front on his own and never really had a chance to break his international duck - as far as TV viewers could make out anyway - as he and his team-mates battled out a draw which makes them favourites to progress to next summer’s finals ahead of Monday’s second leg at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (Sky Sports One, 7pm).

There was one moment of concern for Blues boss Mick McCarthy in the 65th minute when the Town number nine spent a fair amount of time on the ground following a tackle from behind, however, he was eventually able to continue.

Meanwhile, Blues winger Dylan Connolly came on as a 65th minute sub and won his ninth cap as the Republic of Ireland U21s lost 3-1 to Lithuania in a Euro 2017 qualifier in Vilnius earlier in the evening, ending the game with 10 men after Fulham's Sean Kavanagh was red-carded.

What to read next:

Three Changes For Blues Against Huddersfield
Town boss Kieran McKenna has made three changes for this afternoon’s live-on-Sky game against Huddersfield which could see the Blues confirm promotion to the Premier League.
Ipswich Town v Huddersfield Town - Chatroom Open
Join us in the chatroom to discuss the game as it unfolds with hundreds of other Town fans.
Ipswich Town v Huddersfield Town - Predictions
Have you predicted the Huddersfield score yet? Ninety-two per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win this lunchtime, five per cent a draw and three per cent predicting an away win, but what do you think?
Sheeran to Extend Town Sponsorship
Ed Sheeran has revealed he has agreed to extend his sponsorship of the Blues into a fourth season but won’t be at Portman Road tomorrow.
Town Host Huddersfield in Biggest Game For 22 Years
The Blues host Huddersfield Town live on Sky Sports in their biggest match for 22 years on Saturday, knowing a point will take them back to the Premier League (KO 12.30pm).
Morsy: To Get a Club to the Premier League Would Be Amazing
Sam Morsy is no stranger to success as a footballer after winning promotion with Chesterfield, Wigan and Town, plus playing for Egypt in the World Cup, but would taking Ipswich into the Premier League perhaps be his number one achievement in the game?
Morsy: Exeter Experience Will Help Us
Town skipper Sam Morsy knows only too well the prize for avoiding defeat at Portman Road tomorrow and believes he and his teammates will benefit from their experience of the near-identical situation that occurred a year ago.
McKenna: It's Exciting to Be Leading the Project and We Want to Continue That
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says it’s exciting to be part of the project at Town and that it would be exciting to continue that and take the players to another level should his side confirm promotion to the Premier League tomorrow.
McKenna: Squad Focused and Relaxed
Town boss Kieran McKenna says his squad remain focused, despite a palpable buzz around the town as well as further afield back in Northern Ireland.
McKenna: It Would Be a Very Proud Achievement
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says it would be a proud achievement to take Town back into the Premier League after 22 seasons away but says he hasn’t yet thought too much about the prospect of becoming a top-flight manager.