Murphy played football and hurling with one of his primary schools, Dunhill Ns Killea BNS in Dunmore East.
At 15 years of age, Murphy had rugby trials with Ireland but ultimately decided not to pursue when Manchester City offered him a place in their youth set-up.
Brian Flynn signed him for Swansea City on a free transfer two months later, and he made 26 appearances for the club during the 2003–04 season.
He made an instant impression in pre-season friendlies, giving him the edge over on-loan Aston Villa goalkeeper Lee Boyle.
He then added to his collection of medals in September as "Bohs" beat Waterford United in the final of the League of Ireland Cup.
And he wasn't done yet as a great run of form towards the end of the season helped Murphy and Bohs to their second League of Ireland Premier Division title in a row, winning by 4 points from closest rivals Shamrock Rovers.
This was announced on the same day that Bohemians won their second successive League of Ireland title, and Murphy received his first call into the Irish senior squad.
Lee-Barrett was, by this time, beginning to lose the form he had previously shown – something that was highlighted in a defeat away to table propping Peterborough.
His home debut came against Bristol City on 27 January 2010, making one extremely memorable and spectacular save from David Clarkson.
Indeed, it turned out to be a game for the goalkeepers, because for all Ipswich dominated, it was Murphy's opposite number, Dean Gerken who stole the headlines with a spectacular performance that included five world class saves.
[13] On 8 August 2015, Murphy signed a deal until January with Portsmouth,[14] making his debut for the club in a 3–0 home win against Dagenham & Redbridge on the same day.
On 6 November 2009, Murphy was called up to the Ireland squad for the World Cup play-offs against France following the withdrawal of Coventry City's Keiren Westwood.