‘Big Murph’ catches manager’s eye

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.

O’Neill has been on-hand three times to see Murphy find the net — “I’ve almost been stalking him,” he quipped yesterday — and seems to share Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy’s belief the former Waterford United man is in the form of his career.

“He’s done exceptionally well,” said the Ireland manager. “He’s playing with confidence, holding it up, and looks as if he’s dangerous. He looks at this minute, when he runs, as if he’s got a half yard from somewhere. In Championship games he’s played in I’ve seen, he has been very impressive.”