Joe Murphy (footballer, born 1981)

Joseph "Joe" Murphy (born 21 August 1981) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Championship club Huddersfield Town.

Early career

Born in Dublin, County Dublin, Murphy began his career at Tranmere Rovers, where he played in the 2000 Football League Cup Final, before joining West Bromwich Albion in July 2002. With his first touches in a Premier League game, Murphy saved a Michael Owen penalty following the sending off of Russell Hoult. He spent the majority of the 2004–05 season on loan at Walsall. In August 2005, he moved from West Brom to Sunderland, but was again loaned to Walsall during 2005–06.

Scunthorpe United

Murphy signed for Scunthorpe United in May 2006 after being released by Sunderland. He had an excellent 2006–07 season, and was an integral part of the team that led Scunthorpe to the League One trophy. He was in the League One team of the season, and also won the golden glove (award for most clean sheets). He was also named League One player of the month for February 2007. On top of this, he hit the crossbar during Soccer AM's crossbar challenge. His clean sheet in Scunthorpe's 2–0 home victory over Burnley on 30 September 2007 earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week. He made the Team of the Week once more following his side's 1–0 victory over Charlton Athletic in February.

Murphy enjoyed a good set of performances during the 2008/2009 season. He put in a number of stunning performances but never caught the eye of Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatonni due to playing in the third tier. Murphy's performance in the League One play-off semi-final helped the team proceed to the final due to him keeping a clean sheet in 120 minutes and saving three penalties in the following shootout. Despite this performance Murphy did not perform his best during the final, with Millwall's second goal a header from Gary Alexander that he should have comfortably saved: although he could do nothing about Millwall's absolutely stunning strike for their first. Also, Millwall keeper David Forde suffered a similar fate to Murphy's in the second half – leaving some observers to blame the pitch. Murphy's contract was to end at the end of the 2008/2009 season and there was much speculation as to where his future lay; many reports suggested that he would be moving to a much bigger club to gain international football for Ireland. This speculation was ended when he signed a one-year contract extension with the Iron, extendable to 2011 if the Iron remained in the Championship. He told local newspapers that he signed the new deal because "He owed the club for all it has done for him."

He was selected as a member of the League One team of the year for the 2008/2009 football team [1]

Murphy was one of seven players to be released by Scunthorpe in May 2011. Albeit, alongside David Mirfin – he was not offered a contract owing to cost-cutting measures following the Iron's relegation, and once bigger clubs' interest had become obvious.

Coventry City

On 30 June 2011, Murphy joined Championship club Coventry City on a three-year deal.

Huddersfield Town

Murphy signed for Championship side Huddersfield Town on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year in the club's favour, on 17 June 2014. Although he admits he will start as 2nd choice, he aims to challenge Alex Smithies for the goalkeeper spot. After making his début in the Capital One Cup first round match against Chesterfield in August, he would make his league début against Sheffield Wednesday on 22 November 2014.

Chesterfield loan

On 9 May 2015, Murphy was sent on a week-long emergency loan to Chesterfield for their play-off campaign, following an injury to Tommy Lee. Unfortunately, he couldn't help the Spireites get to Wembley, as they lost in the two-legged semi-final to Preston North End.

Murphy is a former member of the Republic of Ireland national under-21 team and has been capped twice at senior level for the Republic.

Club

As of match played 3 May 2014.

International

As of match played 28 May 2010.

Tranmere Rovers F.C.

• Football League Cup: Finalist 1999-2000

Scunthorpe United

• Football League One: 2006–07
• Football League One play-offs: 2008–09

International

• UEFA U-17 Championship: 1998

Individual

• League One PFA Team of The Year: 2006–07, 2008–09
• FAI Under-21 Footballer of The Year: 2002