Meet Ireland’s two newest old boys

Matt Doherty and Jonny Hayes might be the two new boys on the block in the Irish squad but both already have plenty of senior football experience under their belts.

The 24-year-old Doherty, a natural right-back who operates in the left-hand berth at Wolves, was spotted when the Molineux side played Bohemians in a friendly four years ago, later reuniting with manager Pat Fenlon during a loan spell at Hibs in the SPL.

It’s taken a bit longer for Doherty’s fellow Dubliner, Jonny Hayes, now 28, to reach Scottish football’s high land — with stops at Reading and Leicester along the way — but, after impressing at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the winger has now established himself as a key figure at Aberdeen as they challenge Celtic for this year’s SPL title.