Alan Murphy

Alan Murphy (born 3 October 1981) is an Irish football coach and former player.

Murphy is most well known for his many stints for Galway United, where he is the club's second highest all time leading goalscorer, behind Paul McGee, and is the club’s all time leading goalscorer in the league. He has also spent time playing for Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Mervue United.

As a manager, Murphy spent two years as manager of Galway United and one year as manager Galway WFC.

Playing career Galway United On 16 April 2000, Murphy made his debut for Galway United in the connacht derby against Sligo Rovers in The Showgrounds, in a game that ended 1–1 and saw Sligo get relegated. In the 2001–02 season Murphy was Galway’s top goalscorer scoring 11 goals as the club were relegated.

In the 2002–03 season Murphy scored 12 goals in a league season with only 22 games, as Galway reached the play-offs. However in the play-off final against Drogheda United after winning the first leg 2–0, Galway would lose the second leg 0–3 after extra-time.

In the 2003 season, Murphy topped the scoring charts in the League of Ireland First Division, scoring 21 goals in the league that season.

Derry City Murphy’s great form over the previous three seasons earned him a move to League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City ahead of the 2004 season, for a fee of €22,000.

Murphy scored the opener in the 2005 League of Ireland Cup final as Derry defeated UCD 2–1 at Belfield Park to win the cup.

Return to Galway United Murphy returned to League of Ireland First Division club Galway United ahead of the 2006 season. In his first season back with Galway, he helped the club get promoted back to the Premier Division.

Shamrock Rovers In February 2008, Murphy signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Shamrock Rovers.

Third stint with Galway United In the summer of 2008, Murphy once again joined Galway United, after only six months away.

Murphy missed the entire 2010 season with a knee injury, in a season where Galway only survived relegation via the play-offs.

Murphy would return for the 2011 season, however that season Galway would go on to have the worst season in the club’s history, finishing with only 6 points from 36 games. Following the end of the season Galway United withdrew completely from the League of Ireland.

Mervue United Following the demise of Galway United, Murphy would join fellow Galway side, League of Ireland First Division club Mervue United ahead of the 2012 season. Murphy missed the entirety of the 2013 season with an injury.

Galway FC Ahead of the 2014 season, Murphy once again re-signed with Galway United, who had just been re-named Galway FC. During the season he worked as a coach as he once again couldn’t play because of an injury. On 27 April 2018, Murphy broke the record of goals scored for Galway United in the League of Ireland in a 3–0 win over Cobh Ramblers.

Galway United On 3 July 2018, Murphy was appointed as Galway United manager for the remainder of the 2018 season, following the sacking of Shane Keegan.

At the end of the season Galway finished in 6th, which was higher than they were when Murphy took over, because of this Murphy was rewarded with a contract extension that would see him manage the club through the 2019 season.

During the 2020 season season after a run of 8 winless games, Murphy was sacked by Galway United. He would go on to be replaced by former Premier Division winning manager, John Caulfield.

Galway WFC Alan Murphy was appointed manager of Women’s National League club Galway WFC ahead of the 2022 season. Murphy guided the club to a 6th place finish, in what would turn out to be the club’s last season before withdrawing from the league and being replaced by Galway United WFC.

Galway United technical coach Murphy joined the backroom staff with Galway United as a technical coach ahead of the 2025 season.

Career statistics Club

Managerial career

Honours Derry City League of Ireland Cup: 2005