Planet Swans ArchivesKenny Jackett could face a decision on whether he lets reserve keeper Brian Murphy leave the Vetch after Waterford reportedly targeted the Swans No 1 for a replacement for Dan Connor who has joined Drogheda United.
Connor is also an Irish Under 21 international like Murphy and it has been reported on the Irish soccer website that he is keen to take Murphy back to his home town and will settle for a loan move is need be.
Murphy has been kept out of the side all season by the excellent form of Willy Gueret. The Irishman would have hoped that the release of Roger Freestone at the end of last season would have given him the chance to stake his claim for the starting berth but it has just not been the case.
Murphy has started just 13 games for the Swans since joining from Man City in the summer of 2003. He started the following season as first choice but was dropped after a less than impressive display at Oxford although he did win his place back for a short period towards the end of last season, although he missed the last game of the season against York after being injured in Kenny Jackett’s only win last season.
Whether Jackett would be prepared to let his bench warming goalkeeper go is open to some serious debate. With Willy just one booking away from a suspension it seems highly unlikely that Jackett will let his reserve go on loan with one appearance soon seemingly very likely.
However, Waterford manager Alan Reynolds is aware that Brian is out of favour at the Vetch and told the Irish Daily Star “I’d love to have Brian at the club because he’s a first-class keeper. He’s got to think about any move because [Swansea] are going well in the promotion race in League Two. If he was available on loan then I would be happy to take him.”
If Murphy and Swansea were agreeable to any loan or permanent move then Murphy would find himself in competition with Packie Holden and David Hennessy for a starting berth at his home town side.
All seems like press speculation to me though
