Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness has pushed another Irishman out the door at Ewood Park - but former St. Joseph's Boy Peter Murphy is not complaining.

The anti-Irish policy being pursued by Souness at Blackburn will all but eradicate the Emerald Isle connections made by Kenny Dalglish, with Ben Burgess being sent to Van Diemen's land for a year to play for Northern Spirit; and senior internationals Jason McAteer, Alan Kelly, Lee Carsley and Jeff Kenna spending more time on the bench than they are on the pitch.

The latest move is to send Murphy to Third Division Halifax Town on a 12-month loan. But, even though Halifax look on a one-way track to non-league football as they prop up the football league, Murphy still sees the move as an opportunity.

"I was told Halifax were interested on Tuesday," said Murphy, who arrived in Halifax on Thursday. "At first I thought I was only coming on a month's loan and it was a case of thinking it would be good to get out and get a few games under my belt.

"Then when I was told Paul Bracewell wanted to take it further I was delighted with that. He told me he had seen me play and that I was the player he wanted.

"I didn't know Paul personally before I signed, but I know of his reputation both as a player and a manager and because of that this is an exciting move.

"I signed a four-year contract when I joined Blackburn and I am in my last year now so this move has come as a real boost.

"At the moment Halifax are in false position in the league and if I can be a part of helping change that then I would be more than happy."