Murphy admits emotions high for 'special' first start

Alex Murphy admitted it was tough to manage his emotions when hearing the Champions League anthem as the Galwegian made his first start for Newcastle United last night.

The 21-year-old, who began his professional career in the League of Ireland's First Division with hometown club Galway United, played 90 minutes in the 3-2 victory over Qarabag.

The second leg was a formality given the Magpies had led 6-1 from the first match in Baku.

But it offered the chance for Murphy to finally start a game at St James' Park having first joined the club in 2022.

The defender told Amazon Prime Video last night: "It is my first start so the Champions League isn't a bad way to do it.

"I’m just proud and delighted how we won the game and it was a good performance.

"It was just the anthem at the start, I think when you're younger you always kind of dream of that and then to actually be a part of it was special.

"I started getting a bit emotional to be honest but it's a great feeling and that's ultimately what you want to do when you're growing up."

Murphy had a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers in League 1 last season, playing 13 times.

He has regularly featured on the bench for the Magpies this campaign, but appearances have been hard to come by.

The defender played a minute of their 3-1 FA Cup win over Aston Villa and two minutes at Anfield in a league game.

Murphy admits it was been tough watching on from the sidelines: "It’s not been an easy season for me.

"I haven’t played much football but I’ve always known that there’s been faith in me to come on and produce, and whenever I’m called upon I’ll do a job for the team.

"And the lads have been great with me, not playing, they’ve always said, 'Just keep the head, just keep training hard and you’ll eventually get your chance’ and that’s what tonight was for."

Nerves were certainly a factor early on for the player who was becoming the first Irishman to feature in the competition for Newcastle since Shay Given.

Murphy, who first appeared for Galway as a 16-year-old, explained: "I think you always don’t enjoy the start.

"The ball went over my head literally five seconds in, I was thinking ‘Aw no like’ but then once the game goes on you start to enjoy it and you start to settle in and get on the ball and stuff."

The current Republic of Ireland Under-21 international believes his manager Eddie Howe has faith in him and cherished the occasion once overcoming the early anxiety.

"I think on nights like tonight, especially when you have a big lead, it's an opportunity for the young lads to come in and show what they're about.

"The club is always trying to push the academy lads, and whenever you get a chance, you just have to do your best and try to take it, because that's ultimately how you're going to make it.

"Ultimately you don’t know how many Champions League games you’re going to play in your life so you have to enjoy it."

Murphy’s family were unable to travel to the game due to a lack of available flights.

Instead, his barber was given his tickets for the match, after cutting his hair on Monday in anticipation of the possible first start.

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