Murphy on crest of Waterford wave

IT is all go for Waterford United striker Darryl Murphy.

Last Friday night, he was helping his home town club qualify for their first Cup final since he was three years old, as Derry were dispatched.

Yesterday, he was announced as the Eircom League player of the month.

All this in a week when he is enjoying his second trip away with Don Givens’ Under-21 squad.

Murphy has come on in leaps and bounds since returning to Waterford from Luton and with the immense promise of Stephen Elliot on the sidelines for the game against France tomorrow night, Murphy may be in the shake-up for an appearance.

Not that he is taking anything for granted. He is relatively new to the squad Givens has generated over the past year.

“Yeah, I am only new to the squad. Switzerland was my first real trip and it wasn’t a good one.

“But the lads have been great. I have settled pretty quickly and we have a good squad of players here, guys like Stephen obviously, who broke the record in Berne but couldn’t really celebrate it. It is good to get away with this team.”

Takes his mind off things in Waterford, too.

Given the club hasn’t been in a Cup final since 1986, their match against Longford Town is certain to bring excitement to fever pitch in the city.

“The club has a great tradition and you are always aware of that.

“Walking around, people tell you about the great teams of the ’60s and all that.

“But you knew that from growing up there anyway. It is great that the club is back at that stage.

“It was tough to go up to Derry and it was a terrible night. We really had to dig out the win.

“But that shows you the spirit in the team.

“It was a great result for us and it will give us a bit of confidence for the rest of the league.

“We still are looking at third place.”

Givens says Murphy has improved as a player since returning from England, and despite his size, he has a good - and natural - first touch.

Indeed, Givens says, for such a big man, his best qualities mightn’t be in the air.

Still, if he is playing at some stage tomorrow evening, it will be a different experience for Murphy than that in Derry last week.

France continue to churn out young players at a rapid rate and even though they looked unimpressive in disposing of Israel, they will offer a massive test for Ireland as they try to get their Under-21 campaign back on track.