Murphy to start in Ireland friendly

Last updated : 08 October 2008 By Luke Thornhill
The game will be played at Dalymount Park, kicking off at 7.30pm, and will act as a warm-up for next weeks' World Cup qualifier against Cyprus at Croke Park.

Murphy will start the game, but is unlikely to finish it as Trapattoni wants to give the Coventry City keeper Kieran Westwood a runout in the second period.

For the Italian coach, the friendly is a chance to see some of his fringe players together in a match situation.

"This game will give me an important opportunity to work closely with many of our talented players," he said.

"We have another eight games ahead of us in our challenge for World Cup qualification and I have no doubt that some of this squad will be called upon to play their part."


The former Scunthorpe forward Andy Keogh, now at Wolves, will play on a wing.

Starting XI: Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Alex Bruce (Ipswich, captain), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Andy Keogh (Wolves), Keith Andrews (Blackburn), Darren Potter (Wolves), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich), Shane Long (Reading), Caleb Folan (Hull) Substitutes: Anthony Stokes (Sunderland), Kieran Westwood (Coventry), Eddie Nolan (Blackburn), Darron Gibson (Man Utd), Martin Rowlands (QPR), Owen Garvan (Ipswich), Sean Scannell (C Palace), Keith Treacy (Blackburn)