Doyle Scores On International Stage

Wednesday the 15th of November is a day Reading`s Kevin Doyle wont forget in a hurry. The Royals` striker scored his first international goal in the Republic of Ireland`s 5-0 demolition of San Marino.

After 24minutes Kevin Kilbane`s cross found the head of Doyle who sent a powerful header into the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net to put the ROI two up.

Doyle played a great game and helped strike partner Robbie Keane to his third goal to complete his Spurs counterparts` hat-trick.

Doyle was ecstatic at scoring his first full international goal after five games:

‘It’s nice, more a relief than anything else to get it out of the way,’ he said.

‘It means that I don’t have to think about it in the future, and hopefully I’ll be able to score a few more.’

And boss Steve Staunton believes that Doyle and Keane have got a bright future together leading the Ireland attack:

“The more they play together then the better they will become.

‘Given their ages, with Robbie just 26 and Kevin 23, then there’s plenty of time for them to develop and they are learning all the time.

“They complement each other well because they are different types of centre-forward, which we need. Kevin is strong, will chase things into the channels and is very willing, while we know all about Robbie as he is clever and full of tricks.

Doyle left the pitch just after the hour mark and received a rapturous appreciation in the form of clapping and cheering from the Irish home support.

Meanwhile fellow Irish Royals Stephen Hunt and Shane Long both came on as substitutes in the 0-0 draw between Ireland B and Scotland B on the Tuesday night before.