Early career With his first club,
Tranmere Rovers, Murphy played in the
2000 Football League Cup final against
Leicester City, before joining
West Bromwich Albion in July 2002. He made the Team of the Week once more following his side's 1–0 victory over
Charlton Athletic in February. Murphy enjoyed a good set of performances during the 2008–09 season but never caught the eye of Republic of Ireland manager
Giovanni Trapattoni due to playing in the third tier. Murphy's performance in the League One play-off semi-final second leg against
MK Dons helped the team proceed to the final as he kept a clean sheet in 120 minutes and saved two penalties in the shootout from
Jason Puncheon and
Jude Stirling. Murphy was one of seven players to be released by Scunthorpe in May 2011. He was not offered a new contract because of cost-cutting measures implemented after the team was relegated.
Coventry City On 30 June 2011, Murphy joined Championship club
Coventry City on a three-year deal.
Huddersfield Town Murphy signed for Championship side
Huddersfield Town on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year in the club's favour, on 17 June 2014. Although expected to start as 2nd choice, he aimed to challenge Alex Smithies for the goalkeeper spot. After making his début in the League Cup first round match against
Chesterfield in August, he would make his league début against
Sheffield Wednesday on 22 November 2014.
Chesterfield (loan) On 9 May 2015, Murphy was sent on a week-long emergency loan to
Chesterfield for their play-off campaign, following an injury to
Tommy Lee. Unfortunately, he couldn't help the Spireites get to
Wembley, as they lost in the two-legged semi-final to
Preston North End.
Bury On 30 January 2017, Murphy signed a loan deal with
Football League One side
Bury to the end of the 2016–17 season, making sixteen first team appearances. He left Huddersfield on 1 July 2017 to sign a full contract with Bury and made eighteen first team appearances in 2017–18. At the end of the season, Murphy was not offered a contract extension and was released by the club on 11 June 2020.
Tranmere Rovers On 22 August 2020, Murphy signed a one-year deal to rejoin Tranmere Rovers. Having made 21 appearances the previous season, this was extended by a further year on 10 June 2021. On 26 May 2022, Murphy extended his stay for a further 12 months, taking on the additional role of goalkeeping coach while remaining on the playing staff. At the age of 41 years and 187 days, Murphy became the oldest player to represent Tranmere Rovers, keeping a clean sheet against promotion-chasing
Stevenage in a 1-0 away win on 25 February 2023. On 26 June 2023, Murphy signed a 4th consecutive 12 month contract, continuing his role of goalkeeping coach while remaining on the playing staff supporting new #1
Luke McGee as coach and understudy. On 29 August 2023, he started in the
EFL Cup against Championship leaders
Leicester City, 23 years after playing in goal for Rovers against Leicester in the
2000 final. In April 2024, he signed a new one-year deal as player-coach. On 16 May 2025, Murphy signed another contract with Tranmere Rovers as player and goalkeeper coach for the 2025/2026 season, extending his second spell at
Prenton Park. This ensured that he remained part of recently appointed manager
Andy Crosby's backroom staff whilst also providing cover to
Luke McGee. With
McGee being ruled out for "months" with a hip injury, Murphy played in the League Two match against
Salford City on 6 September 2025, becoming, aged 44, the oldest player to start a match at this level since
Kevin Poole played for
Burton Albion in May 2010 at the age of 46. On 4 May 2026, Murphy announced his retirement from football. ==International career==