Donal Patrick Murphy (born 23 February 1955 in Dublin, Ireland), is an Irish footballer who played as a winger in the League of Ireland and Football League.

Donal Murphy
Personal information
Full name Donal Patrick Murphy
Date of birth (1955-02-23) 23 February 1955 (age 69)
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
1970–1973 Coventry City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1973–1975 Shamrock Rovers F.C. 45 (17)
1975–1978 Coventry City 43 (10)
1977Millwall (loan) 3 (0)
1978–1980 Torquay United 85 (20)
1980–1982 Plymouth Argyle 48 (9)
1981–1982Torquay United (loan) 3 (0)
1982 Blackburn Rovers 3 (0)
1982–1983 Drogheda United 13 (1)
1983 Bohemian F.C. 6 (1)
1983–1984 Drogheda United 19 (6)
1984–1985 University College Dublin A.F.C. 24 (5)
1985 Home Farm F.C. 2 (1)
1985–1986 Shelbourne F.C. 12 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

After three seasons as an apprentice at Highfield Road the Republic of Ireland national football team youth international moved to Shamrock Rovers in October 1973. He made his League of Ireland debut on 4 November at Richmond Park and scored on his home debut at Milltown the following week.[1] His goal scoring exploits earned him the Player of the Month award in September 1974.[2]

In February 1975 Murphy was called up to a Republic of Ireland national football team training session under Johnny Giles.[3]

In September 1975 he was part of the Rovers squad that toured Japan.[4]

The following month he re signed for Coventry.[5]

After seven years in England he came home to sign for Drogheda United in October 1982 on a three-month contract and scored on his debut at Dalymount Park.[6] At the end of his short contract he signed for Bohemian F.C.[7] in February 1983 and scored the winner against the Hoops on his debut.[8] His last game for Bohs was as a substitute in the 1983 FAI Cup Final.

Murphy re signed for Drogheda in July 1983[9] and played twice against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Cup.[10]

In July 1984 he transferred to University College Dublin A.F.C. and again played twice against English opposition in European competition, this time against eventual winners Everton F.C. in the 1984–85 European Cup Winners' Cup.[11]

Following six months at Home Farm F.C. he moved to his fifth Dublin club, Shelbourne F.C., in August 1985[12] and was part of the first Shels squad ever to be relegated.

Sources

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  • The Hoops by Paul Doolan and Robert Goggins (ISBN 0-7171-2121-6)

References

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  • Donal Murphy at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database