GIVEN Emily Murphy played rugby until it was no longer feasible, it is no surprise that she likes the physical side of football.
And she says that was part of the reason why she opted to return to England to sign for Newcastle United.
Murphy joined the English second-tier outfit last month after four years in the US where she obtained a degree in political science.
The striker previously played in the top flight for Chelsea and Birmingham City, where new Ireland boss Carla Ward was her manager.
But the 21-year-old was happy to drop down a division to ensure she would play regularly as she readjusts to the game she grew up with.
The Windsor native said: “It’s much further up north than I’m used to but I’m loving it so far.
“As a young player, the biggest thing I can look for is going somewhere I’m going to play, and put myself in the best position to play.
“I feel as though Newcastle was a great fit for that and I’m really excited for the rest of the season. I wanted to be as close to home as I could be.
“That was a big factor. I’ve lived a lot of my life away from home. I’ve two younger sisters so coming back to family was the biggest part.
“There’s positives to both styles in the US and UK. The physicality I would say is the biggest difference. I think I wanted to come back to play the football I remember playing.
“I played rugby a lot in my life. Dad is a Leinster fan and I played until I had to give up. I played inside centre.
“I was fast and at that age I was as physical as the lads.
“Things have changed now I think but I’d probably still be able to give them a run for their money.”
Murphy’s dad John hails from Rathfarnham and played Gaelic football and hurling for his school, Scoil Naithí and rugby at Lansdowne Road for Palmerstown.
She has not managed, thus far, to follow in her father’s footsteps by playing at the Dublin 4 venue having missed out on the Euro 2025 play-off final against Wales.
She said: “I was actually in the US at the time.
“I had my dad on the phone and my housemates watching. It was a hard one. I was obviously very upset and I know the whole team were.
“It’s one of those things you don’t want to dwell on for too long because I think you then don’t allow yourself to progress.
“I think as a team we have a fresh slate now.”
NEW CHAPTER
But the forward was not released by her then-college Wake Forest University.
She said: “You always want to play for your country.
“I always wanted to come and play for Ireland. They were discussions I had with my college and staff in college.
“That chapter is closed and a new one is opened. I’m back here. I was upset and frustrated.”
Murphy is keen to look forward to the Nations League campaign which kicks off with matches at home to Turkey on Friday and away to Slovakia on Tuesday under new head coach Ward.
Murphy is familiar with her as Ward was in charge at Birmingham in 2021 when they signed her on loan from Chelsea — but she is not sure that experience will be of relevance.
She said: “There’s a lot of things to take into context when I was at Birmingham — my age and the position we were in.
“We were a team that was fighting to stay in the WSL so a lot of things change when that’s your reality.
“She kept us up and that was a huge win for the club, herself and the girls on the team.
“I don’t think I could take how we played in that season to here. It’s a completely different game and a completely different environment.
“I’m very excited to get back working with her and the rest of the staff as well.”
