Murphy - Iron before Ireland

Iron goalkeeper insists he had to withdraw from national squad

Last updated: 9th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Murphy - Iron before Ireland

Murphy: Tough decision

It was a big decision to pull out of the Ireland game, and I hope in future that it does not affect my chances with the squad.

Joe Murphy.
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Scunthorpe United goalkeeper Joe Murphy is hoping his decision to put club before country will not damage his international future.

The 28-year-old withdrew from Giovanni Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland squad to face Brazil last week amid concerns over his wrist injury.

The Irishman is still unsure how he developed the mystery problem but believes he may have picked it up in the Iron's home clash with Barnsley last month.

United are currently just one point above the Championship drop zone and the long-serving keeper is keen to be available for the remainder of their survival fight.

"I was only the No.3 keeper for Ireland and I know that would probably have meant me having to face a lot of shots in training." Murphy told the Scunthorpe Telegraph.

"That would not have done my wrist any good. It was a big decision to pull out of the Ireland game, and I hope in future that it does not affect my chances with the squad.

"But I wanted to make sure I was fully fit to concentrate on the last 12 games of the season for Scunthorpe."