It’s two wins from two games from the Munster/Connacht Regional Squad representing the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Regions Cup.
They had two goals to spare over North East Macedonia. UCC’s Shane Daly-Butz and David Hoban of Westport kicked home the decisive goals which leave Ireland top of their Group. They face Slovenia side Maribor on Sunday who suffered a 4-1 defeat today.
Newmarket Celtic duo Stephen Kelly and Eoin Hayes once more lined out for their country. Kelly has been part of a defence which has kept two clean sheets so far in the tournament while Hayes was given his marching orders in this game having being shown a second yellow card.
Hayes scored the all-important goal in their opening victory against Italy which is something he is very proud about. “From a personal point of view it was nice to get a goal on my competitive debut, I know it was a penalty and I probably could have had another one as well, I’d say more buzzing for the group of players because we got through a difficult game”
“We had a meeting before and someone asked who’s taking penalties and I just said ‘I am’, no one said they wanted it so I said I’d take them, I take them for my club I actually missed my last one just saw it as any other game, looked at the keeper he was big and I said look I’m getting to put it in the corner and hit it hard and luckily enough he did go the right way but it was probably too far in the corner for him” he told The Herald Striker.
Kelly was singled out by the Italian management as one of the key players for Gerry Davis’ side, it is something Hayes isn’t one bit surprised about. “I’ve been rooming with Stephen for the last few days and he’s one of my good mates aswell and I’m absolutely buzzing for him, he was fantastic in the game”.
Of the recent publicity that comes with playing for one’s country the secondary school teacher added “I’d say people are getting sick of my name on the internet and stuff like that but I suppose it’s nice to get some recognition, us down in Clare probably don’t get too much but I’ve played with my club since I was five years of age and to score for my country representing my club”.