Murphy: The least you can do is run

Job done, for now, Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland players turn their attention back to domestic matters for the next four weeks, all too aware of the need to impress with their clubs before the World Cup play-offs swing around.

Callum O’Dowda will be the first back in action, hopefully, when Bristol City host Burton Albion at Ashton Gate Stadium tomorrow evening, but Daryl Murphy will have nigh on another two days to rest and recuperate before turning out for Nottingham Forest. Chances are, he will be glad of it.

O’Dowda is only 22 and didn’t feature against Wales in Cardiff after his star turn in Dublin against Moldova last Friday. Murphy is pushing towards 35 and he clocked up 170 minutes across the two Group D games inside four days.