Daryl Murphy’s time to strike is now

It looks like it will be all-change upfront for Ireland in Turner’s Cross tomorrow night, with Shane Long — who opened the scoring against the Netherlands on Friday but also opened a pre-existing cut on his knee — set to be rested and wrapped in cotton-wool so nothing more serious befalls him between now and June 13.

Against Belarus, Robbie Keane will earn his 144th cap and hope to grab goal number 68 for Ireland while, by way of what it’s fair to call a striking contrast, Daryl Murphy will make his 21st appearance as he once again goes in search of goal number 1 for his country.

Martin O’Neill is well aware of how much of a confidence lift it would be for the Waterford man if he could break his international duck on the last outing before the Euros.