AS DARYL MURPHY made way for Kevin Long in the 90th minute of last night’s remarkable win in Cardiff, Irish fans were on their feet.
The noise in Cardiff City Stadium was immense, and the sea of green was in full flow.
Ran into the ground, the Nottingham Forest striker made his way towards the bench. Five additional minutes had been added, the job wasn’t finished just yet.
Clinging on for dear life since James McClean’s 56th minute strike, Ireland had almost weathered the storm to book their place in the play-offs.
And that was all they came to do, Murphy said afterwards.
“All it was was the result at the end of the day,” he told reporters after the game, when questioned on the opening few minutes.
“We knew we needed to win and we done that. Doesn’t matter how bad we played.
He continued: “At half-time we went in and we spoke about a few things we could have tweaked and that, and more of the same of what we done towards the end of the first half.
“Look, the lads were obviously fired up for this game and it was obviously a big night for us. We knew we needed to keep our heads and just try play football and keep calm. We knew that if we got a chance, hopefully we’d take it.
“We come alive on the big occasions, we always have. You look at the past results we’ve had. In Lille, we needed to win. We did. When we know we’re up against it, I don’t know what it is about us. Just our character, the want to win and the hunger I think.”
On a memorable night in the Welsh capital, Murphy was full of praise for his team-mates. The scoring star in the Aviva the other night, he was quick to deflect praise when credited for his tracking efforts.
When it was put to him that he had filled in at left wing, and left back even at one point when others had pushed forward, he responded: “It’s natural.
“We play for each other, there’s no individuals on this team. We all fight for each other.
“If someone’s out of position and you’re there close to it, you just naturally slot in. It’s what you do for your team-mates. Tonight I thought, especially defence and goalkeeper — absolutely brilliant, heading everything clear. When we were under the cosh, brilliant.”
At 34 years of age, Murphy has waited a long time for nights like this.
The Waterford-born striker has never been prolific in the green jersey and took 24 caps to get off the mark in the 2-2 draw with Serbia a year ago.
He was the hero with a brace against Moldova on Friday night – his 30th international — but tonight was much more special.
“It’s even better because I think over the years when I’ve been in the squad, we’ve had obviously Robbie Keane, our best goalscorer of all time, in the team so you’re not really going to get a chance.
“If you do get a bit of time on the pitch, you have to make the most of it. Recently I’ve had a few opportunities and I just thought if the manager has the faith to start me in big games like this, and like he has in the past, then I have to produce for him.
“Thankfully, I have,” he smiled.
- Additional reporting by Paul Dollery in Cardiff
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