Murphy covets appearance record

Murphy scored the winning goal in the 2005 Conference play-off final

Carlisle United defender Peter Murphy has set his sights on breaking the club's appearance record after signing a new two-year deal.

The Irishman, 28, has made over 300 appearances for the club and is hoping to break Alan Ross' record 466 appearances between 1963 and 1978.

"I'm looking at Alan's record now." Murphy told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"With a bit of luck I can get a good run of games, stay injury-free and try and catch up with him."

Dublin-born Murphy began his career as a trainee with Blackburn Rovers and had loans spells with Halifax Town and Carlisle before making a permanent switch to Brunton Park in 2001.

In a time of recession when people are losing their jobs, to get a new contract at a club I love is fantastic

Carlisle defender Peter Murphy

"I'm very glad to sign a new deal," Murphy said. "In a time of recession when people are losing their jobs, to get a new contract at a club I love is fantastic."

Murphy scored the goal that saw Carlisle promoted back into the Football League in 2005 in the 1-0 Conference play-off final win against Stevenage Borough at Stoke's Britannia Stadium.

He won full Republic of Ireland honours in 2007, making his debut against Bolivia.

He is due to enter into his testimonial season with the club in 2011.

"I've had a bit of a disrupted season with injury but hopefully I'm over that now," he said.

"I feel great after playing Saturday and then Tuesday so I just hope it can continue."

Murphy has also tried to clear-up the confusion over Carlisle's second goal in Tuesday night's 2-2 draw at Hartlepool which was widely credited to Cleveland Taylor.

"I got the header in but didn't see the ball hit the net as I was chewing grass at the time," he said.

"Cleveland ran up to me to say it was my goal. Then at half-time he changed his mind because people were saying 'well done' to him.

"But it was my goal. Their defender got a slight touch but it didn't alter the trajectory of the ball."