The new Newcastle United signing scored his first international goal for the Republic of Ireland in a 2-2 draw against Aleksandar Mitrovic’s Serbia.
Daryl Murphy came off the bench to head in a late equaliser for the Republic of Ireland as they drew 2-2 with Serbia in their 2018 World Cup Qualifier opener on Monday night.
It was the Irishman’s first international goal in 23 attempts as he headed in Robbie Brady’s corner just moments after being introduced to the match.
The 33-year-old striker’s evening was in stark contrast to that of his Magpies teammate Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was hauled off before the hour mark after an ineffective spell leading the Serbian attack.
Ireland took the lead after just three minutes as Burnley’s record signing Jeff Hendrick’s deflected strike gave the visitors the perfect start.
But Serbia turned the game on its head with two goals inside seven second half minutes as Filip Kostic levelled things up after 62 minutes before Dusan Tadic gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot.
Stoke City man Jonathan Walters conceded the penalty after felling Kostic just inside the area though replays shown that the contact was minimal at best.
However Ireland managed to find a way back as Martin O’Neill brought on Murphy for the goalscorer Hendrick and the decision paid off with the new Newcastle forward scoring with his first chance of the game.
And the former Ipswich Town and Sunderland man could be handed his Magpies debut this weekend by manager Rafa Benitez as his side travel to face Derby County in the Championship.
United currently sit fourth in the table having won each of their previous three matches while Derby sit 18th having won just one of their first five matches.
Murphy is still yet to get off the mark at club level so far this season but having scored 50 league goals over the past three seasons, few strikers are more experienced goalscorers at Championship level.
This could leave Benitez with somewhat of a selection issue with Murphy, Mitrovic, Ayoze Perez and top scorer Dwight Gayle all vying to start up front at Pride Park on Saturday.
Gayle will be the favourite to lead the line though Murphy breaking his international duck could move him up the pecking order ahead of the misfiring Mitrovic.
The 21-year-old Serbian has not started a league match for the Magpies since the 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season where he scored and got sent off resulting in a four game ban.
The striker’s well awaited comeback was ultimately cut short as he lasted just over half an hour in United’s EFL Cup win over Cheltenham before picking up a concussion which ruled him out for another match.
There are still doubts over his fitness and perhaps Benitez will view the more experienced Murphy as the more reliable target man choice should he need it.
Should Murphy start ahead of Mitrovic?
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