Daryl Murphy has announced his retirement from international football.

Football’s place in the grand scheme of things was made plain again last week with the news of Kevin Doyle’s forced retirement.

The Preston North End striker remains the top-scorer in the League of Ireland this season.

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed Daryl Murphy is on his way out but Rob Elliot is on course to start their Premier League return as his No 1.

Mixed news from the Ireland camp

The former Black Cat who became a Tractor Boy is now a Magpie.

Daryl Murphy vows Ireland will “attack more” tonight in their crucial Euro play-off second leg against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ireland striker Daryl Murphy has handed Martin O’Neill another injury headache after the news he’s struggling to be fit for next month’s two European Championship qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia.

Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy intends to continue disappointing pursuers of his hitman, Daryl Murphy, unless they get realistic with their bids.

If it was all about form, then Daryl Murphy would walk straight into the Irish team for the crunch European Championship qualifier against Scotland.

Ipswich Town striker Daryl Murphy has enjoyed the season of his life. Stuart Watson spoke to the Championship’s 27-goal top-scorer.

This Sunday, when goals will be the only relevant currency to reviving Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualification quest, sharpshooter Daryl Murphy is ready to play his part in clipping the wings of Group D leaders Poland.

Daryl Murphy continued the season of his life on Saturday but there’s now a real danger his goals — 23 and counting — will count for little at the end of the campaign.

On a hot scoring streak of five goals in his last six games for Ipswich Town, Daryl Murphy is bound to be high up in Martin O’Neill’s thoughts as Ireland prepare to face a Gibraltar side which shipped seven in their opening European Championship qualifier against Poland.

Martin O’Neill’s mantra that age is no barrier to an international career has fallen kindly for Ipswich Town striker Daryl Murphy ahead of his Ireland re-launch tonight against Serbia.