Emily Murphy takes positives from lively Ireland debut

"Well, this isn't intimidating at all," joked Emily Murphy as she faced a huddle of reporters after the Republic of Ireland's 2-0 loss to Wales at Tallaght Stadium. "I'm new, be nice!"

The England-born striker need not have worried. She was one of the few Irish players to emerge from a chastening night with credit in the bank, having produced a lively cameo off the bench.

Murphy - making her debut - helped to improved an Irish team that was massively out of sorts in the first half, her energy and directness livening up the crowd of 8,218.

Studying political science at Wake Forest University, where she plays college football, the former Chelsea prospect and England underage international qualifies for the Girls in Green through her Dubliner dad.

Having previously been drafted into a training squad during Vera Pauw's time in charge, she only received her international clearance last week. Now, she's desperate for more opportunities to shine.

"Honestly I've had the best ten to 12 days with these girls, " she said. "It was a decision I knew I wanted to make and I don’t regret it at all. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made. Eileen [Gleeson] put some trust and faith in me. The girls have been great. I’d a really good time despite the result.

"During that time I was training with Vera Pauw I was making many life decisions to either stay at home or go out to the US. I was very young. I’ve got my head screwed on now and I made the right decision.

"We were two-nil down, it wasn’t good enough in the first half and I knew what I needed to do, or try to do. I did my best and I worked as hard as I could."

Murphy had two teams growing up: Manchester United and - with the encouragement of her rugby-mad father - Leinster.

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