Daryl Murphy

Daryl Murphy (born 15 March 1983) is a professional Association football who plays as a striker for Premier League club Sunderland A.F.C.. He previously played for Waterford United F.C..

Playing career

He had a one month loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday during the 05/06 season before he was recalled by Sunderland. The 24-year-old Irishman signed a two-year contract at the Stadium of Light after completing a £100,000 transfer from Irish side Waterford United F.C. in 2005. Murphy won the Football League of Ireland PFAI in 2005. He scored his first Premier League goal on Sunday 12 February after coming off the bench at home to Tottenham Hotspur F.C., equalising with minutes to go. A strong pre-season performance earned him a no.11 in 2006.

Daryl scored 10 goals in the 2006–07 season in the Coca-Cola championship despite being used sparingly for the early weeks. One goal on the opening day of the season against Coventry City F.C. and another on 12 August against Plymouth Argyle F.C.. despite Daryl's goals Sunderland A.F.C. lost both games. Daryl scored his third goal of the season in the Black Cats' 2-1 away win over Queens Park Rangers F.C. on November 28, and then notched in successive games against Norwich City F.C. and Luton Town F.C.. Later in the season the manager Roy Keane started to consider Daryl one of his first choice strikers (the other being David Connolly. He scored a vital goal in the last few minutes of a match against Stoke City, drawing Sunderland level 2-2. He scored two goals against Luton Town on the final day of the season and also set Anthony Stokes (footballer) up for his goal.

He scored his third goal of the 2007–08 season and arguably the best of his career so far, when he unleashed an unstoppable left footed strike from 25+ yards against Wigan Athletic F.C. on 9 February 2008 at Stadium of Light. The goal was later chosen by Match of the Day viewers as Goal of the Month (England) for February.

On 26 April 2008 Murphy came on as a substitute and scored the winning goal in a 3-2 victory over local rivals Middlesbrough F.C., securing Sunderland's status in the Premiership for the next season and completing Roy Keane's revival of the club.

International career

Murphy won his first call up to Ireland National squad due to the absence of Robbie Keane due to injury, but was an unused substitute. He has since earned 8 caps, scoring no goals.