Alex Murphy eager for games as Newcastle youngster weighs next move

The 22-year-old Galway native is happy to be at Newcastle but has reached the point in his career when he wants to be playing games

Alex Murphy: “Newcastle could easily have brought another left-back in behind Lewis Hall but they trusted me." Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Alex Murphy is aware that being a Premier League player in name is a different beast to being one in practice. 

Ireland’s sole representative in the Champions League at an English club is appreciative of the opportunities afforded by Eddie Howe. The Newcastle United manager opted against recruiting cover for Lewis Hall because he has the Galway native.

That start against Qarabag in February followed exposure in the top-flight at Stamford Bridge and Anfield. Yet the novelty factor of being a squad player eventually subsides.

Ireland’s football history is littered with examples of young gems who remained at big clubs too long, jeopardising their future in the game. Progress was reflected in his contract being extended last May until 2028 but he turns 22 in June with the embryonic phase behind him.

A loan spell at Bolton Wanderers for the second half of last season that yielded 13 appearances sated his appetite to be foremost in the action.

“I actually moved up to the first-team dressing room a few years ago,” he outlines about a move from Galway United that banked his hometown club a six-figure transfer fee.

“That’s massive for any young player at the start, being just grateful to be there, but the longer it goes on, you just want to break into the team eventually.

“Newcastle could easily have brought another left-back in behind Lewis Hall but they trusted me. I played a lot in pre-season and thought I did well. But it’s not easy when you’ve a player like Lewis in front of you.

“I would have tried harder to get out on loan if I thought I didn’t have a chance. But I always knew that if I keep pushing I might actually break through. I’m still hoping to do that.” 

Asked if he’s advanced at the pace he envisaged back in 2022, the left-sided player pauses.

“It’s hard to say,” he notes.

“If you asked me when I went if you were in the first team by now, I’d probably say yeah. But then once you’re actually there and had a taste of it, you’d probably be, like, no. At the moment you’d say no but maybe back then, yeah. It’s a difficult question because you’re never happy.” 

He added on his predicament: “If it was my choice, I’d be somewhere else playing games but it’s not always down to you. You must accept that, keep doing what you’re doing and hopefully the chance will come.

“It’s good to say that you’re a Premier League player and be in the squads every week but as a player you want to play in games. Any player would be fuming to be on the bench for every game. It’s nice for a while but does wear off.

“I’m delighted to be at Newcastle United, have no complaints about being there. It’s just wanting to play.” 

The Ireland U21 defender admits that decision time on his next move is looming.

“Yeah, especially after not playing much this season,” he said about the dilemma he faces in the summer.

“I know it’s not over yet but you just want to have a full season of games. I’m still young enough to learn and get as much experience.” 

Murphy’s Ireland U21s host Moldova on Thursday at Tallaght (5.45pm) with no margin of error in their Euro qualifying group following a hammering in Andorra.

“You see that mad result but every team at international level are at a good level,” he reasoned.

“If you’re not on it, as we weren’t, that can happen. It’s nice to have a change of environment and get some starts. These camps are great. The lads get on really well. It’s nice to see new faces and train in a different place.”