Better late than never for Ireland's newest recruit Caitlin Hayes

FRESH FACE: Caitlin Hayes of Republic of Ireland after her side's victory at Aviva Stadium. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Caitlin Hayes canât quite pinpoint the moment her interest in declaring for Ireland gained traction but the 2021 Scottish Cup final seems likeliest.
Her goal clinched Celtic the trophy against a Glasgow City managed then by Eileen Gleeson.
Two years later and that same gaffer had the matchwinner to herself on international duty.
It doesnât quite explain why it took until her 28th birthday on Friday for the Warrington-born defender to finally join the Irish ranks. She had done the circuit of English clubs, from Manchester United, City and Everton before spells in America and Cyprus and a return to her homeland with Championship outfit Lewes.
Her former manager Fran Alonso came calling three years ago and together theyâve enjoyed success at Celtic. Last year she was feted alongside Kyogo as the clubâs Player of the Season.
Once Gleeson was deployed from the FAIâs womenâs football lead to interim manager, cementing the allegiance of Hayes became a priority.
She was drafted into training last week, a secret until revelations emerged on Friday morning about the imminence of her arrival. As if 25 players wasnât sufficient, another was added and abseiled straight into the starting line-up for her debut against Northern Ireland.
Duane Hayes, her Dad sitting among the 35,996 crowd reported by the FAI, was an emotional wreck watching on as she shone in the facile victory.
âIâve been trying for a while,â said Hayes of her attempt to represent the birthplace of her late grandfather, James Hayes, from Offaly.
âIâm a firm believer in whatâs for you wonât pass you. From playing against Eileen in Scotland, she was fully aware of what I did for my club and thankfully she took the opportunity to bring me here.
âI used to wear Ireland and Celtic jerseys, all given to me by my grandfather at Christmas. I had lots of family at the Aviva for my debut and my Dad may have shed a tear for the first time in his life.âÂ
It wasnât her first visit to the national stadium but was when it came to football.
âIâm a rugby girl so came here as a kid to watch some internationals,â she said, rather sheepishly.
âItâs mainly rugby league I watch â as a fan of my local club Warrington Wolves - but I do watch the odd rugby union game when my Dad isnât looking. I donât tend to sway with football but would sit and watch rugby league when itâs on.âÂ
Sheâll be forever associated with the first womenâs team to run out for a football international, performing adequately to suggest sheâll make up for lost time.
Central defence, similar to the menâs team, is Irelandâs most stocked area on the pitch for talent but she bypassed former Celtic teammate Claire OâRiordan on Saturday to capture a spot alongside Diane Caldwell and Louise Quinn.
The latter tended to be the target from Irelandâs various set-piece scuds but Hayes shared the mantle on Saturday, flicking on for Kyra Carusa to have the first chance on Saturday.
âLouise said earlier in the week that Iâd save her a few brain cells,â joked Hayes. âMaybe or maybe not but Iâve admired Louise Quinn for a long time. If she can teach me how to head the ball like she does, I wonât be too far off from getting a goal.
âWeâre just working together and Iâll provide for this team in any way. If that happens to be set-pieces, Iâm there.âÂ
Better late than never and she laid down her case for continuity of starts in this Nations League campaign.
âSomeone happily reminded me that she scored against us in a Scottish Cup final,â said Gleeson. âWe've got strong defenders but I know of Caitlinâs capabilities and now we've got another one.âÂ