Double to set up date with Wales
Wales and ensure that the better moments from this campaign were all leading to something.
O’Neill will be reasonably satisfied with his night’s work after the surprise announcement that he had agreed in principle to stick around for a third campaign.
With the stadium close to full, a performance that portrayed an image of health was required — and he got it for 45 minutes.
But lording it over a Moldovan side that belongs on the basement of Group D does not exactly atone for the one point from six return in the crucial September double-header.
Still, from the outset there was a healthy mix of experience and enthusiasm with the selection of Callum O’Dowda vindicated by a display rich in promise.
Stand-in skipper David Meyler and Jeff Hendrick make for an energetic midfield.
And there was a late cameo for former Dundalk star Sean Maguire, now at Preston.
If Bosnia and Greece drop points in Group H this evening or Scotland fail to win in Slovenia tomorrow then Monday in Cardiff will be a straight shootout where the victor nets a playoff.
Murphy was in the right place in the second minute when a long throw from Stephen Ward was helped into his direction by Shane Duffy with a swing of the left boot doing the rest.
Number two followed before 20 minutes had elapsed, Murphy skilfully steering into the far corner of the net while running away from goal.
Harry Arter was sent on to ruffle feathers and he managed to pick up a yellow before getting in an injury-time skirmish with Alexandru Gatcan that resulted in a red card for the Moldovan.
The game was already over before the shouting. A 90-minute tour de force will be required in Cardiff.