Republic of Ireland attacker Emily Murphy is ready for a fresh start on the international stage under her old boss Carla Ward after returning to the English club game last month.
In 2021, a 17-year-old Murphy went on loan from Chelsea to Birmingham City, where then-manager Ward was battling to preserve the Blues' Women's Super League status. She pulled it off against the odds, defying limited resources and difficult club constraints that were present at that time.
The pair went their separate ways after that. Murphy spent a couple of years studying political science and playing college soccer at Wake Forest University in North Carolina; Ward further embellished her coaching reputation at Aston Villa, eventually stepping away from the post last May to spend more time with her daughter.
Now their paths have crossed again. Ward succeeded Eileen Gleeson as Ireland boss last month and named Murphy in her first squad. Just before the January transfer window closed, Murphy completed a move to Championship outfit Newcastle United.
New challanges, fresh opportunities.
"I'm excited," said Murphy ahead of Friday's Nations League clash against Turkey at Tallaght Stadium.
"I think all of us are. It’s a fresh start and something we’re all ready for. We don’t know how she’s going to play with us. Obviously we’ve different personnel and qualities and characteristics that she’s had in previous sides so it will be interesting and something we’re really excited for."
Murphy just wants to be a part of it all. She missed the Euro 2025 play-off semi-final games against Georgia because Wake Forest would not release her due to a clash with their own roster of matches. That, Murphy admits now, was a source of deep frustration.
"Look, I don't want to speak too much about it," she said. "You always want to play for your country. I always wanted to come and play for Ireland.
"They were discussions I had with my college and staff in college. That chapter is closed and a new one is opened. I’m back here. I was upset. Frustrated. But it’s happened now."
Murphy confirmed she had offers on the table from Women's Super League clubs but she chose Newcastle because they offer a better chance of game time. There's a good vibe around the Magpies too as they seek to build further on back-to-back promotions.
It's easy to see why they were so keen to bring in Murphy, the type of high-energy, versatile forward managers love. She weds pace to graft, and has a tough streak that endears her to supporters. She's ambitious too, keenly aware that the years zip by in a football career.
"As a kid I always wanted to get from A to B as fast as I could," Murphy said. "And being exposed to professional environments, whether at Chelsea or Birmingham, with Carla Ward, as a child. Because I was only a child, you know?
"You learn a few things and you realise football is not going anywhere. So if I can focus on my own development and pathway, then hopefully I can get to where I want to be at the end of my career. I don't know where that is exactly. But little stepping stones to get there is probably the way I operate."
There'll be no more stepping stones for the recently retired Niamh Fahey, Diane Caldwell and Julie-Ann Russell. Their departures leave a void to be filled in terms of dressing-room leadership, and while Murphy is still finding her way in the game, the 21-year-old has a healthy sense of perspective when it comes to the bigger picture.
"I mean they’re all not only incredible legends for women’s football in Ireland but football in general in Ireland," she added. "They’ve paved the way for myself and a lot of young players but also very established players in the team still. They were some of the very best and the very best to do it for us.
"I know they’re going to be still in or around us, that’s what this team is about, so although we’re saying goodbye to them in the football scene, I know we’re not saying goodbye to them in Ireland women’s football."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Turkey in the UEFA Women's Nations League on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary with 2fm’s Game On
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