Cometh the 81st minute, cometh the man.
It wasn’t long after Ireland went 4-0 up against Oman that the remarks began. ‘Get Daryl Murphy on’.
Robbie Keane had scored goal number 68 but 69 and 70 were not forthcoming. Jon Walters popped in a double and more goals looked likely.
Still, time rolled on and Murphy, two warm-ups aside, sat on the bench. The TV cameras even flicked to him a couple of times, although maybe the producer was seeking out Keane.
‘Is Murphy not getting a game?’ Surely it was time to get the 33-year-old striker onto the pitch so he could try pick up a handy goal – his first in 22 games. Surely not.
International cap No.23 arrived 76 minutes into a toiling away date with Serbia. Ireland found themselves 2-1 down after leaking two goals in seven rain-sodden minutes.
Hendrick off, Murphy on. We knew the drill – the ball was going to be pumped, drilled and crossed towards the box. Did anyone truly believe that Murphy would break his duck?
Vincent Foley believed. The staunch Murphy supporter shared this screened from his excellently named WhatsApp group ‘Whatever the bandwagon’.
“Told ya.”
Yes he did. Five minutes on the pitch and Murphy had powered home a header after connecting well with a Robbie Brady corner.
His joyous celebrations lifted our spirits on a night when, after a poor away performance, we needed them lifted. Wonder how Vincent thinks we will fare, next time out, against Moldova?
Thanks to Vin Foley for sending this our way. If you have any pieces of content you’d like to share with us, hit us up on Facebook or Twitter or send us an email at editorial@SportsJOE.ie.
The GAA Hour Hurling Show relives Tipperary’s sensational All-Ireland victory with Paidí Maher. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
