Striker Daryl Murphy says playing for the Republic of Ireland at the European Championships in France this summer was the highlight of his career.

The 33-year-old was an unused sub in Ireland’s opening two group games but then started both the 1-0 victory over Italy and the 2-1 defeat to the hosts in the round of 16, taking his total of international caps to 23, although still without scoring.

“I didn’t know I was playing in the Italy game until an hour before kick-off. The manager likes to keep his cards close to his chest,” the Waterford-born striker told the club site.

“Being part of that game, knowing what was at stake and that we had to win was special. It was a fantastic occasion, a fantastic night and something I will always remember.

“Obviously the France game was massive as well and the whole experience of taking part in one of the biggest events in sport was something else. It’s definitely the highlight of my career.”

Murphy went almost six years without winning a cap before Martin O’Neill recalled him in February 2014.

“I was thankful the manager gave me my chance because I had been out of the international team for a long while and I thought my time was up before he called me up to the squad a couple of years ago,” the Town number nine added.

#itfc's Daryl Murphy reflects on 'creating a bit of history' following his involvement with Ireland at #Euro2016https://t.co/tTnAyPUzj6

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) July 13, 2016

“I want to keep going as long as I can now. We’ve got the World Cup qualifiers coming up and hopefully I will be involved. I will never turn my back on my country. When they don’t want me any more, that will be the end.

“I think I handled myself OK out there. You want to test yourself against the best and I certainly did that in the Euros. Hopefully I can take that on now for Ipswich through the season.”

Murphy joined his team-mates for pre-season training today having been given an additional two weeks off after the Euros.

Photo: Action Images

Pilgrimblue added 18:30 - Jul 12 Pleased that he enjoyed the experience but hope MM can off-load him as he's on downward spiral and likely to be injury prone. He should have been sold 12 months ago when he was worth something!
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ArnieM added 18:34 - Jul 12 I'm afraid I agree with you. We ( once again) missed an opportunity to offload when a player's stock was high. Last season Boro reportedly offered over £3m for him......Didsy could also have been off loaded for a ridiculous fee........now we have one striker still injury prone- when isn't he! and the other unlikely to hit double figures in front of goal again.
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Daniel72 added 18:56 - Jul 12 I thought Murph played well at the Euros... he's still got it... his confidence may be renewed... saw him score against Brighton... a well taken goal out of not very much... don't write the man off. Perhaps as he ages he will need subbing in games... but he is quality.
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jas0999 added 19:22 - Jul 12 Played well and should rightly be pleased. However, needs to improve on a very disappointing season for us last season. Was bordering poor at times. For me, with Sears utilised on the wing, Varney released, Murphy more likely to need subbing and McGoldrick, well extremely injury prone - we could do with another striker.
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titanicclown added 19:28 - Jul 12 Well done Murph. Top top championship player. Beggars belief some supporters want rid. How much would it cost to get a better championship striker than big Murph? Personally Im proud he's part of our team. If him and Dids can stay fit they will tear the championship up again. We all know their injury problems but a club in our financial position cannot pass up the potential those two offer us.

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OwainG1992 added 19:41 - Jul 12 Love how much people moan and groan that we need better players and one of our best players they want him out. Sorry but we need Murph and hope he has a solid 15 goal season.
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essextractorboy93 added 20:01 - Jul 12 Thought Murphy did really quite well in the two games he played in considering the central defenders he was up against! Unbelievable some people say we should have got rid of him before last season, can you imagine the reaction if we sold the league's top scorer to a promotion rival!! Ridiculous to even consider that. He still has a lot to offer at this level, our joint top scorer in the league last year! He is a really good player at this level, we missed him at the end of the season when he was out the team, does a lot of the work that people don't see.

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Foreverdon_Blue added 22:42 - Jul 12 Murphy is still a quality player and did well at the Euros - I can't believe people on here want to offload him!
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PortmanTerrorist added 08:48 - Jul 13 Am optimistic about Murph this year and Didz too. But 3 into 2 don't go and Sears was consistently the best player in our Club last season and DOES score when played up top. Pitman as stuck on sub, but can/will MM rotate the old guns and give Sears his place up top every week ? History says not and welcome back to a false winger role again Freddy. Please let me be wrong.

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martleshamitfc added 09:35 - Jul 13 He would be a much better striker if we actually had a midfielder / winger who could pass / cross a ball to him!
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happybeingblue added 18:54 - Jul 13 shame Daryl wasnt used v sweden but thought he was excellent in games he played...now bring that form to itfc Daryl and lets hear that chant ringing round the ground again, i predict a good season for him ahead
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