‘Over the moon’ Quirke eyes first cap
With his Sky Blues team-mate Keiren Westwood poised to win a first competitive Irish cap, his heir at the Ricoh Arena is plotting his own international future.
Quirke is one of many newcomers Noel King plans introducing this evening during Ireland’s penultimate friendly before their European Championship qualifying campaign begins on September 1 against Hungary.
The 19-year-old was a novice for club and country up to three weeks ago when he deputised for the injured Westwood in City’s 1-1 Championship draw at Doncaster Rovers.
That full debut alerted King who, having become aware of the teen’s eligibility, phoned him the following morning. “I had a message from Noel asking would I like to come on board with Ireland,” said Quirke.
“I was over the moon to accept his invitation of a first call-up for this game in Portugal.
“Both sets of my grandparents are Irish, from Wexford and Waterford, and I’ve lots of cousins living in Kilkenny. They were as delighted as I was about the news.
“There was a bit of banter between Keiren and myself because he told everyone he got me the call-up.
“I know he recommended me to the Irish management, which I was thrilled about and am very grateful to him for.
“This weekend has worked out really well for us both. Keiren has a big game on Saturday against Macedonia and hopefully I make my debut for the U21s.”
Though Ian McLoughlin starts in goal following his penalty save against Cyprus in last month’s scoreless draw, King intends giving Quirke his bow in the second-half.
Ireland U21 (probable): McLoughlin (Stockport); Towell (Hibernian), Canavan (Scunthorpe United), Kiernan (Wycombe), Gunning (Motherwell); Connolly (Bolton), Henderson (Arsenal), Barton (Preston); Clifford (Notts County), Doran (Inverness), O’Connor (Ipswich).
Subs: Hourihane (Ipswich Town), Murray (Torquay Utd), Madden (Carlisle), Duffy (Everton), Quirke (Coventry), Dunleavy (Wolves), Oyebanjo (Histon).
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