Doyle delight at ‘going back home’

KEVIN DOYLE says that playing at the new Aviva Stadium, which is officially opened today, will be like a homecoming for Irish football.

“It looks amazing, it’s a special world-class stadium,” says the Republic of Ireland and Wolves striker.

“It will be exciting to go back to again. A lot of lads who are in the squad now haven’t played in Lansdowne, so to go back now will be like going back home for Irish football.”

Doyle’s comments are made in ‘On Hallowed Ground’, a one-off television documentary which marks the transformation of Lansdowne Road into the Aviva Stadium.

What the makers describe as “stunning visuals and never-before-seen archive” will complement contributions from household names in irish rugby and soccer, including Ollie Campbell, Jack Kyle, Donal Lenihan, John Giles, Paul McGrath, Mick McCarthy, Jason McAteer and Doyle.

’On Hallowed Ground’ will be screened tonight on RTE 1 at 8.30pm.