Sean Michael Murray (born 11 October 1993) is a professional association footballer. He plays as a midfielder for Watford in the Football League Championship, having been born in the town of Watford and progressed through the clubs academy. Murray has represented the Republic of Ireland national team at under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels.
Club career
Born in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, Murray joined Watfords youth system in 2002, aged nine,he went to Queens School, Hertfordshire, but left and went to Harefield Academy in 2007 as part of the initial intake where Watford youth players are developed. Despite interest from Manchester City, Murray signed his first professional contract with Watford in July 2010, although due to Football Association regulations, it did not take effect until his 17th birthday. Murray made his debut for the Hornets as a substitute in a Football League Championship game against QPR at Vicarage Road on 30 April 2011. Watford were defeated 2–0, a result that secured the Championship title for QPR. He made his first start the following week, away to already-relegated Preston North End. Manager Malky Mackay left Watford at the end of the season. Under his successor, Sean Dyche, Murrays only first-team involvement in the first half of the 2011–12 season was as a 90th minute substitute against Nottingham Forest.
Murray was a surprise inclusion in Watfords starting eleven in their FA Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur on 27 January 2012. He came close to scoring, hitting the post in the second half, but Watford were eventually defeated 1–0. Murray retained his place in the team, and scored his first professional goal three weeks later, with a deflected free kick in a 3–2 victory for Watford against Leicester City. Murray continued to play regularly for the rest of the season; his good form, scoring four goals in seven games, led to him winning the Football Leagues Young Player of the Month Award for March. His popularity with supporters earned him his own song, with the words "That boy Sean Murray, he is one of our own". Murray won Watfords Young Player of the Season Award at the End of Season Awards Dinner after his great form since his introduction to the first-team. International career
Although born in England, Murray qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through his Irish grandparents. He declared for and represented the latter country at under-17 level, and played for Ireland at the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. In the summer of 2012 Murray was called up to both the Republic of Irelands under-19 and under-21 squads. From Wikipedia
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