Londoner Murphy happy to answer Ireland’s call

MANY English-born strikers aspire to emulate Danny Welbeck but Londoner Rhys Murphy wants to make it to the top in an Irish shirt.

The Arsenal frontman could make his first appearance for the Ireland U21s in tonight’s European Championship qualification opener against Hungary. After jumping ship from the Irish set-up with just one U16 cap to his name, Murphy became the strike partner of Manchester United’s Welbeck with England, including two years ago when they reached the U19 European Championship final.

Their paths went different directions; Welbeck gaining Premier League experience at Sunderland before making the breakthrough at Old Trafford this term while Murphy is at a loose end.