Daryl Murphy’s 2014/15 Season: A Remarkable Anomaly in His Career
Daryl Murphy’s 2014/15 campaign with Ipswich Town stands out as a remarkable exception in his career, with nearly a quarter of his total league goals across 15 years coming in that single nine-month stretch.
The striker was in unstoppable form that season, netting 27 league goals and producing the best performances of his career well into his 30s. Under Mick McCarthy, Ipswich were thriving, which was no small feat given the club had been languishing in the Championship for years.
Murphy reignited hope at Portman Road, but their East Anglian rivals ultimately had the last word, sealing their fate in a dramatic play-off battle.
Murphy Leads Ipswich’s Play-Off Push with Career-Best Form
After scoring 13 goals the previous season, Murphy was seen as a solid Championship forward—reliable for double figures but not necessarily a game-changer. However, something was different in 2014/15. From the opening game, he played with a hunger for goals, eager to celebrate in front of the Ipswich faithful.
His campaign started with a goal against recently relegated Fulham, slotting home after a pass from Luke Hyam. That was just the beginning. Millwall, Brighton, and Rotherham all fell victim to his scoring streak, with his strike against Brighton showcasing his newfound confidence—burying a bouncing ball with his first touch.
Murphy delivered on big occasions too, scoring twice against Nottingham Forest, Wolves, and Leeds. His blistering form over the festive period, with seven goals in seven games, fueled Ipswich’s promotion hopes. With support from David McGoldrick and Freddie Sears, the team edged their way into the play-off spots, finishing ahead of Wolves on goal difference and Derby County by a single point.
As the final day reshuffled the standings, Ipswich secured sixth place, setting up a high-stakes East Anglia Derby against Norwich City for a place at Wembley.
Murphy Struggles in the Play-Offs
Despite his prolific form, Murphy had failed to score against Norwich during the regular season, and that struggle continued in the play-offs. The Irish forward was kept quiet by Russell Martin and Sebastien Bassong, and even when he created a chance for Freddie Sears, John Ruddy denied the effort.
In the first leg at Portman Road, Jonny Howson and Paul Anderson exchanged goals before halftime, leaving the tie delicately poised for the return leg at Carrow Road.
Unfortunately, Murphy remained ineffective, and when Christophe Berra was sent off for handling on the goal line, Ipswich’s hopes began to unravel. Despite Tommy Smith equalizing, Norwich responded with relentless attacks. Nathan Redmond put the Canaries back in front before Cameron Jerome sealed the win, leaving Murphy and Ipswich heartbroken at full-time.
A Season to Remember, Despite the Ending
For Murphy, it was a season where everything clicked—until it didn’t. His finishing was lethal for nine months, striking fear into Championship defenses. However, after leaving Ipswich in 2016, he never matched that extraordinary goal tally again.
While the campaign ended in disappointment, it was an unforgettable journey, one that Ipswich fans—and Murphy himself—will always look back on as a season of magic, even if it ended in heartbreak.
