Murphy started his youth career at West Ham United before moving across London to sign YTS forms with Queens Park Rangers.

Murphy joined Motherwell on 1 January 2007 when his contract at Cork expired,[2] making his debut as a substitute in the Steelmen's 1–0 defeat by Rangers the following day.

[3] Murphy followed up his Motherwell debut with some fine displays at Hibernian and Celtic and added his first league goal at Dundee United[4] before an ankle injury cut short his season.

By November 2007, Murphy had fallen out-of-favour under new manager Mark McGhee and he was loaned to First Division side Dunfermline Athletic until January.

[5] After some good form with the Pars, new manager Jim McIntyre decided to extend Murphy's loan deal to the end of January.