Donal Murphy

This article is about the football player. For the Irish accordionist, see Dónal Murphy.

Donal Murphy

Personal information
Full name	Donal Patrick Murphy
Date of birth	(1955-02-23) 23 February 1955 (age 68)
Place of birth	Dublin, Ireland
Position(s)	Winger
Youth career
1970–1973	Coventry City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1973–1975	Shamrock Rovers F.C.	45	(17)
1975–1978	Coventry City	43	(10)
1977	→ Millwall (loan)	3	(0)
1978–1980	Torquay United	85	(20)
1980–1982	Plymouth Argyle	48	(9)
1981–1982	→ Torquay United (loan)	3	(0)
1982	Blackburn Rovers	3	(0)
1982–1983	Drogheda United	13	(1)
1983	Bohemian F.C.	6	(1)
1983–1984	Drogheda United	19	(6)
1984–1985	University College Dublin A.F.C.	24	(5)
1985	Home Farm F.C.	2	(1)
1985–1986	Shelbourne F.C.	12	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Donal Patrick Murphy (born 23 February 1955 in Dublin, Ireland), is an Irish footballer who played as a winger in the League of Ireland and Football League.

After three seasons as an apprentice at Highfield Road the Republic of Ireland national football team youth international moved to Shamrock Rovers in October 1973. He made his League of Ireland debut on 4 November at Richmond Park and scored on his home debut at Milltown the following week. ^[1] His goal scoring exploits earned him the Player of the Month award in September 1974. ^[2]

In February 1975 Murphy was called up to a Republic of Ireland national football team training session under Johnny Giles. ^[3]

In September 1975 he was part of the Rovers squad that toured Japan. ^[4]

The following month he re signed for Coventry. ^[5]

After seven years in England he came home to sign for Drogheda United in October 1982 on a three-month contract and scored on his debut at Dalymount Park. ^[6] At the end of his short contract he signed for Bohemian F.C. ^[7] in February 1983 and scored the winner against the Hoops on his debut. ^[8] His last game for Bohs was as a substitute in the 1983 FAI Cup Final.

Murphy re signed for Drogheda in July 1983 ^[9] and played twice against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Cup. ^[10]

In July 1984 he transferred to University College Dublin A.F.C. and again played twice against English opposition in European competition, this time against eventual winners Everton F.C. in the 1984–85 European Cup Winners' Cup. ^[11]

Following six months at Home Farm F.C. he moved to his fifth Dublin club, Shelbourne F.C., in August 1985 ^[12] and was part of the first Shels squad ever to be relegated.

Sources

• The Hoops by Paul Doolan and Robert Goggins ( ISBN   0-7171-2121-6)

References

1. The Irish Times – Monday, 12 November 1973 – Page 005
2. The Irish Times – Friday, 4 October 1974 – Page 003
3. The Irish Times – Thursday, 23 January 1975 – Page 003
4. The Irish Times – Thursday, 14 August 1975 – Page 003
5. The Irish Times – Friday, 3 October 1975 – Page 003
6. The Irish Times – Monday, 25 October 1982 – Page 004
7. The Irish Times – Friday, 25 February 1983 – Page 003
8. The Irish Times – Monday, 28 February 1983 – Page 003
9. The Irish Times – Thursday, 7 July 1983 – Page 003
10. The Irish Times – Thursday, 29 September 1983 – Page 003
11. The Irish Times – Wednesday, 3 October 1984 – Page 003
12. The Irish Times – Saturday, 10 August 1985 – Page 004

External links

• Donal Murphy at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database