Women. International Magpies: Murphy helps Ireland seal win over Greece

Emily Murphy
Published
09 Apr 25
Team
Women

Your guide to April's international fixtures involving members of the Magpies squad...

Emily Murphy

The Republic of Ireland sealed a 2-1 win over Greece on Tuesday, with Murphy appearing as a half time substitute in the UEFA Nations League clash.

The United forward replaced Leanne Kiernan at the break at the Tallaght Stadium as Carla Ward's side beat the same opposition for the second time in the space of a week.

The 22-year-old also made a late substitute appearance for her country as they won 4-0 in Greece in Friday's League B Group 2 game. Ward's side triumphed in Heraklion, with Murphy replacing Lucy Quinn for the final five minutes as goals from Marissa Sheva, Kyra Carusa, Jessie Stapleton and Amber Barrett sealed a straightforward win.

Born in England, January signing Murphy qualifies to play for the Republic of Ireland through her father, who is from Rathfarnham, and previously worked with Ward during a loan spell at Birmingham City in 2021.

Rachel Furness

Experienced midfielder Furness was initially put on standby for the Northern Ireland squad that drew 1-1 with Romania in a UEFA Women's Nations League clash at Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest on Friday, but was recalled for their game against the same opposition at Windsor Park on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old - her country's all-time leading goalscorer - was an unused substitute in her side's 1-0 win, meaning she remains on 95 caps and 38 goals for Tanya Oxtoby's side.

Lois Joel

Magpies star Joel came off the bench to win her eighth cap for Wales in their 2-1 defeat to Denmark in the UEFA Women's Nations League.

Cardiff City Stadium was the venue for the game against De rød-hvide on Friday, with Joel entering the fray after 66 minutes - only for Amalie Vangsgaard to net the winner for the visitors six minutes later.

Rhian Wilkinson's side then recorded an impressive 1-1 draw with Sweden at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg in Tuesday's League A Group 4 clash, with Joel - who joined United last summer - staying on the bench throughout.

Charlotte Wardlaw

The 22-year-old received her first call-up from Scotland Under-23s having switched her international allegiance recently.

And on Thursday, she made her debut for Craig McPherson's side in their 3-1 friendly defeat to Denmark, starting the game at the Pinatar Arena, before making a second half substitute appearance in their eventual 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Portugal at the same venue on Sunday, which followed their 0-0 draw in 90 minutes.

The former Chelsea defender was capped by England from under-15 to under-23 level before her Scotland Under-23s call-up last month.

Freya Gregory

Gregory, who made her senior international debut for Scotland in last month's 1-0 defeat against Austria, was named in Michael McArdle's squad for their UEFA Women's Nations League double header against Germany.

The Magpies forward was an unused substitute as her side fell to a 4-0 defeat to the two-time Women's World Cup champions at Tannadice on Friday, and also didn't make it off the bench in the reverse fixture at the Volkswagen Arena, home of Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg, Tuesday, which ended in a 6-1 defeat for McArdle's charges.

Gregory, who has been capped by England from under-17 to under-23 level, joined Becky Langley's side from Aston Villa Women in January 2025.

Georgia Gibson

Midfielder Gibson - who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough - won her third and fourth caps for the United Arab Emirates national team as they suffered two friendly defeats to the Philippines this week.

Gibson's side were beaten 4-1 on Friday before a 4-0 loss on Tuesday, with the 26-year-old involved in both fixtures.

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