Ronan Murray (footballer)

Ronan Michael Murray (born 12 September 1991) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in County Mayo, he has played in the Football League for Ipswich Town, Torquay United, Swindon Town, Plymouth Argyle and Notts County, and in the League of Ireland for Galway United, Dundalk, Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United. Murray was capped by the Republic of Ireland from under-16 to under-21 level. He is currently playing Gaelic football with Belmullet GAA

Ronan Murray
Murray playing for Galway United in 2017
Personal information
Full name Ronan Michael Murray[1]
Date of birth (1991-09-12) 12 September 1991
Place of birth Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
2003–2008 Erris United
2008–2010 Ipswich Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2013 Ipswich Town 9 (0)
2011 → Torquay United (loan) 7 (1)
2011–2012 → Swindon Town (loan) 20 (3)
2013 → Plymouth Argyle (loan) 13 (1)
2013–2016 Notts County 60 (9)
2017 Galway United 32 (13)
2018 Dundalk 23 (3)
2019–2020 Sligo Rovers 29 (2)
2021 Drogheda United 27 (1)
Total 220 (33)
International career
2005–2006 Republic of Ireland U15
2006–2007 Republic of Ireland U16
2008–2009 Republic of Ireland U18
2009–2010 Republic of Ireland U19 13 (2)
2011 Republic of Ireland U21 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 September 2022

Club career

Early years

Murray started playing for the Erris United youth system at the age of 12.[3] After being spotted by former Ipswich Town player Robin Turner, he had a trial with Ipswich in the summer of 2007 and agreed to join the club the following year.[4]

Ipswich Town

Having joined the club's academy, Murray scored a total of 36 goals in 56 appearances for the youth team in his first two seasons with Ipswich.[4] He also scored 13 times in 29 reserve team games.[4] Murray signed his first professional contract in 2010 after being among seven academy players offered terms in April.[5] He scored on his first team debut in a 3–2 League Cup win at Exeter City in August.[6] Murray came on as a second-half substitute, with Ipswich trailing, to equalise with a "looping header" and was then involved in both David Norris goals to win the game in extra time.[7] "Of all the strikers at our club, he is probably the most natural goalscorer we've got," said manager Roy Keane. Describing Murray's goal, he said "it wasn't even a chance and that's what good strikers do."[7]

Murray made his first appearance in the Football League four days later against Burnley,[8] but found first team opportunities limited for the rest of the 2010–11 campaign. He continued to be prolific for the reserves, scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances that season,[4] and joined Torquay United on loan in March 2011.[9][10] He scored once in seven appearances, a "clinical finish" against Cheltenham Town,[11] and was then recalled by manager Paul Jewell in April.[12] "I really enjoyed my time at Torquay but I'm an Ipswich Town player and want to play games here," said Murray after signing a new one-year contract.[13][14] He appeared in the starting line-up for the first time, in his last game of the season, at the end of the month against Preston North End.[15]

Despite scoring nine goals in 10 reserve team appearances the following season, Murray failed to feature in a first team game for Ipswich in 2011–12.[4] A loan move to Gillingham in September fell through before he joined Swindon Town on loan in November.[16][17] "To be honest, we are missing a player like him," said Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio. "He's a player who doesn't have a high size but he's very mobile. He's quick but he isn't nasty – he has a good character."[18] Murray scored two goals in ten league and cup appearances, against Southend United and Morecambe,[19][20] before returning to Ipswich in January.[21] Ipswich rejected an offer of around £100,000 from Swindon to sign Murray on a permanent deal and gave him a new one-year contract.[22][23] He then returned to Swindon on loan for the rest of the season.[24] "I'm obviously delighted to have been given a new contract here," said Murray. "It's been great to be involved down there week after week and that's what I need at this stage of my career."[25] He scored two more goals, against Burton Albion and Barnet,[26][27] and appeared in the 2012 Football League Trophy Final defeat to Chesterfield.[28]

Murray returned to Ipswich at the end of the campaign having helped Swindon win the League Two title.[29] "I reckon this is my first season as a regular in the Football League and I am in a team that has won promotion," he said. "I have learnt that you have to be professional in your preparation, especially if you have a game on Saturday and then Tuesday. You have to recover well and I have learnt how to do that too."[30] He made his first appearance for Ipswich in nearly 16 months at the start of the 2012–13 season against Blackpool in August.[31] Murray scored four more goals, in eight appearances,[4] for the club's reserve team before joining Plymouth Argyle on loan in January for the rest of the campaign.[32][33] "I'm very pleased to get Ronan in. He comes very highly recommended," said Argyle manager John Sheridan. "He's a good intelligent footballer who scores goals and he did well when he went to Swindon last year in a promotion-winning side."[34] Murray scored one goal in 13 appearances for the club, a "close-range finish" against Barnet in March.[35][36] At the end of the season, Murray was released by Ipswich when his contract expired.[37][38] In five years with the club he scored once in 14 matches.[1]

Notts County

Murray signed a short-term contract with Notts County in August 2013 after a trial period.[39] He made an impressive start at his new club, scoring 9 goals as the team avoided relegation to League Two, and his performances earned him a new contract in July 2014.[40] His time at Notts County was beset by injury problems, with a fractured pubic bone proving particularly problematic. Despite this, Murray still featured in 68 games for the EFL side. He left Notts County in July 2016 when his contract expired.

Galway United

Murray returned to his native west of Ireland when he signed for Galway United in December 2016 ahead of the 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division campaign.[41] Murray scored 13 goals in 32 league games for Galway United, including 3 in the month of August, picking up the League of Ireland Player of the Month award, but he couldn't save them from relegation in the restructured league of 10 clubs.

Dundalk

Following his impressive season in Galway, on 28 November 2017 it was announced that Murray would make a return to full time football by joining league champions Dundalk for the 2018 campaign.[42] He scored a brace on his club debut against Cork City in the President's Cup on 11 February. It proved to be a tough year for Murray personally. Despite the club retaining the 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division and winning the 2018 FAI Cup, he only started 11 league games, and wasn't getting as many minutes on the pitch as were desired. He admitted that he had a decision to make in the close season.[43] He left the club having scored 9 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions

Sligo Rovers

On 26 November 2018, Murray signed a 2-year contract with Sligo Rovers for the 2019 League of Ireland Premier Division season.[44] He struggled to break into the first team, and after just 2 goals in 33 games, he departed in December 2020

Drogheda United

After a brief trial with Saint Patrick's Athletic, On 24 February 2021 newly promoted side Drogheda United announced the signing of Murray for the 2021 season.[45] He scored his first goal for the club, a smashing free kick, in a friendly fixture against his former side Dundalk in the Louth derby on 6 March. Murray was a regular in the side that season, playing 27 league matches. His only Premier Division goal came in the form of another free kick, against Longford Town on 24 May. He left the club upon expiry of his 1-year contract in December

Career Break

Since leaving the Drogs, Ronan Murray has taken a career break from football, and has explored other ventures, taking up Gaelic football with his local club Belmullet back in County Mayo

International career

Murray represented the Republic of Ireland at under-16, under-18, under-19 and under-21 level.[2][3] He made his debut for the under-21 team in March 2011 against Portugal.[33][46]

Career statistics
As of 15 December 2021[1][47]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ipswich Town 2010–11 Championship 801041—131
2011–12 000000—00
2012–13 100000—10
Ipswich Town Total 90104100141
Torquay United (loan) 2010–11 League Two 7100000071
Swindon Town (loan) 2011–12 20330004[lower-alpha 1]1274
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2012–13 131000000131
Notts County 2013–14 League One 24711001[lower-alpha 1]1269
2014–15 20121103[lower-alpha 1]2264
2015–16 League Two 161000000161
Notts County Total 6093210436814
Galway United 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division 32133331—3817
Dundalk 2018 23333315[lower-alpha 2]43411
Sligo Rovers 2019 2113010—251
2020 810000—81
Sligo Rovers Total 292301000332
Drogheda United 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division 27100——271
Totals 2203316812313826152
  1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in UEFA Europa League, Leinster Senior Cup and President of Ireland's Cup

Honours
Swindon Town
Dundalk
Individual

References
  1. "Player Details: Ronan Murray". The English National Football Archive. SoccerData. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  2. "Ronan Murray". Ipswich Town F.C. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  3. "History". Erris United F.C. 17 February 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  4. "Ronan Murray". Pride of Anglia. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  5. "Magnificent seven offered Town contract". East Anglian Daily Times. Ipswich. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  6. "Exeter 2–3 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  7. Watson, Stuart (11 August 2010). "Murray's mint". Evening Star. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  8. "Ipswich 1–1 Burnley". BBC Sport. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  9. Gooderham, Dave (9 March 2011). "Murray joins Torquay on loan". East Anglian Daily Times. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  10. "Torquay sign striker Ronan Murray on loan from Ipswich". BBC Sport. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  11. "Torquay 2–1 Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  12. Marston, Carl (24 April 2011). "Murray recalled from Torquay". East Anglian Daily Times. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  13. Marston, Carl (26 April 2011). "Hyam and Murray both sign". East Anglian Daily Times. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  14. "Hyam and Murray commit to Ipswich for a year". BBC Sport. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  15. "Ipswich 2–1 Preston". BBC Sport. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  16. Gooderham, Dave (16 September 2011). "Murray's loan move to Gillingham falls through". Evening Star. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  17. Gooderham, Dave (24 November 2011). "Ronan Murray teams up with Paolo Di Canio at Swindon". Evening Star. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  18. "Swindon Town loan move for Ipswich striker Ronan Murray". BBC Sport. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  19. Rose, Gary (7 December 2011). "Swindon Town close in on Wembley final thanks to Murray and Caddis goals". Swindon Advertiser. Swindon. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  20. Rose, Gary (23 December 2011). "Murray hoping for start". Swindon Advertiser. Swindon. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  21. Gooderham, Dave (15 January 2012). "Ronan Murray left in limbo as Swindon loan deal ends". Evening Star. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  22. Gooderham, Dave (17 January 2012). "Luke Hyam and Ronan Murray offered new deals by Ipswich". Evening Star. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  23. Warren, Andrew (18 January 2012). "Swindon Town: Murray bid rejected by Ipswich". Swindon Advertiser. Swindon. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  24. Rose, Gary (19 January 2012). "Murray back for the season". Swindon Advertiser. Swindon. Archived from the original on 23 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  25. Gooderham, Dave (20 January 2012). "Updated: Jewell hopeful over Josh Carson as Ronan Murray pens new deal". Evening Star. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  26. Rose, Gary (29 February 2012). "Swindon Town: We can get even better – Di Canio". Swindon Advertiser. Swindon. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  27. Rose, Gary (4 April 2012). "Murray hungry for more after Barnet strike". Swindon Advertiser. Swindon. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  28. Chapman, Caroline (25 March 2012). "Chesterfield 2–0 Swindon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  29. "Paolo di Canio 'risk' paid off, says Swindon Town chairman". BBC Sport. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  30. Watson, Stuart (26 April 2012). "Ronan Murray has loved working under the 'fresh' management of Paolo Di Canio". East Anglian Daily Times. Ipswich. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  31. "Blackpool 6–0 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 25 August 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  32. Ogle, Jonathon (10 January 2013). "Ronan Set For Plymouth". Ipswich Town F.C. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  33. Parsons, Chris (11 January 2013). "Murray's Mint". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  34. "Plymouth Argyle swoop to sign Ronan Murray". The Herald. Plymouth. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
  35. "Plymouth 2–1 Barnet". BBC Sport. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  36. "Ronan Murray". Greens on Screen. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  37. Watson, Stuart (4 April 2013). "Murray, Whight, Ainsley and Burke told they will not be getting new Ipswich Town deals". East Anglian Daily Times. Ipswich. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  38. Brammer, Chris (9 May 2013). "Released Ipswich Town duo seek new start in Football League". East Anglian Daily Times. Ipswich. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  39. "Notts County sign trialists Murray, Balmy, Bennett & Holt". BBC Sport. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  40. "Ronan Murray signs new Notts County deal". Notts County FC. 29 July 2014.
  41. "Frontman Ronan Murray signs for Galway United". Galway United. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  42. "Frontman Ronan Murray signs for Dundalk". RTÉ Sport. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  43. "Dundalk striker Ronan Murray admits he has decision to make after FAI Cup final". Irish Mirror. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  44. "Major coup for Sligo Rovers as they sign double-winning star striker Murray". the42. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  45. "Ronan Murray Signs for Drogheda United". Drogheda United. 24 February 2021.
  46. "Late goals shade it for Portugal U21s". Football Association of Ireland. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  47. "Ronan Murray". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  48. "Just three Cork players make PFAI Team of the Year". RTÉ Sport. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
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