Murphy gets Irish off to flying start

RHYS MURPHY marked his international comeback with the winning goal as Ireland’s Under-21 European Championship qualifying campaign got off to a brilliant start.

The Arsenal forward had played for both Ireland and England previously at underage level but he celebrated committing to the Irish cause by nodding home a Robbie Brady cross 21 minutes from time at the Showgrounds.

Although senior international James McCarthy was back in the Ireland line-up as captain, Brady was once again the star turn.

The Manchester United winger, on loan with Hull City, took just four minutes to embark upon one of his trademark dribbles only to see his stinging shot blocked.

He was enjoying a personal duel with Hungary’s Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulasci, also on a temporary stint with the Tigers, and left his club-mate grasping at thin air for his opener on 15 minutes.

Full-back Mark Connolly combined with Adam Barton on the right to find Brady and the winger’s turn of pace allowed him slip past two defenders before drilling a cracking low drive inside the Hungary goalkeeper’s near post.

Ireland’s profligacy on front of goal gave the visitors hope and they struck the equaliser on 38 minutes with their first real chance of the contest.

András Gosztonyi was afforded space in the centre circle to spring Ireland’s offside trap by feeding right-winger Ádám Bódi and his low cross was swept home by Hungary’s unmarked Markó Futács.

Barton was close to regaining the Irish lead within a minute only for Gulasci’s fingertips as well as the crossbar to deny his rising close-range shot.

The home side lived dangerously in the opening stages of the second half, as Benjámin Balázs skewed his shot a yard wide with Ian McLoughlin in the Irish goal static.

Still, McCarthy’s influence on the game grew and after having a strong penalty claim rebuffed, the Latics star played a key role in Ireland’s winner.

He was on the edge of the box when Hungary only half-cleared a corner and, spotting Brady in space, his lay-off enabled the flanker to deliver an in-swinging cross for Murphy to head downwards into the net from eight yards.

With McCarthy, Barton and Brady continuing to dominate, the Irish didn’t seem likely to lose the lead for a second time and the Hungary frustration boiled over eight minutes from time when Bence Iszlai was issued with a straight red card for a crude challenge on Aidan White en route to the box.

It might have been an even happier night for McCarthy had Lajos Bertus not blocked his shot on the line two minutes later but he’ll link up with the senior squad this morning chuffed with his display.

Next up for the Under-21s, minus McCarthy, in the second part of the double-header is a trip to Izmir tomorrow, where they’ll prepare for Tuesday’s qualifier against Turkey in Manisa.

“The win was well deserved because the lads dug in for the result against a very talented Hungary side which finished third at the Under-17 European Championships two years ago,” said King afterwards.

“James (McCarthy) came in and gave a terrific performance. I think it’s nailed down tonight that we know how much he loves playing for Ireland.”

IRELAND: McLoughlin (MK Dons); Connolly (Bolton), Canavan (Scunthorpe), Kiernan (Wigan), Gunning (Dundee United); Towell (Hibernian), Barton (Preston), McCarthy (Wigan); Brady (Manchester United), Murphy (Arsenal), White (Leeds).

HUNGARY: Gulácsi; Kálnoki-Kis, Fodor, Szokol; Balázs, Kiss, Iszlai, Bódi; Futács, Gosztonyi. Subs: Nagy for Futács (79 mins), Gyurcsó for Balázs (81 mins), Hidi for Bodi (90 mins)

Referee: S Delferiere (Belgium).