Forward Cian Hayes started his international journey this month as he embarked on his first ever Republic of Ireland camp, with Mark Rohan’s Under-19s in Marbella.
The 18-year-old joined up with the young Irish side after coming off the bench in last Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Barrow in the Papa John’s Trophy, flying to Spain the day after.
He trained with the squad for a couple of days – which includes Leicester City’s Arlo Doherty, Wolfsburg’s Anselmo Garcia MacNulty, and Getafe’s John Joe Finn Benoa – before being named on the bench for their first of two friendlies against Sweden on Thursday.
Hayes then made the step up to the starting XI in the second game and was up top with Shamrock Rovers’ Aidomo Emakhu in their 2-2 draw against the Swedes, before being subbed off for Boavista’s Cristiano Fitzgerald in the 84th minute.
Congrats, Cian!