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

The Celtic defender made a good first impression in the facile victory over the North.

FRESH FACE: Caitlin Hayes of Republic of Ireland after her side's victory at Aviva Stadium. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Caitlin Hayes can’t 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 doesn’t 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 they’ve enjoyed success at Celtic. Last year she was feted alongside Kyogo as the club’s Player of the Season.

Once Gleeson was deployed from the FAI’s women’s 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 wasn’t 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.

“I’ve been trying for a while,” said Hayes of her attempt to represent the birthplace of her late grandfather, James Hayes, from Offaly.

“I’m a firm believer in what’s for you won’t 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.

“I 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.” 

It wasn’t her first visit to the national stadium but was when it came to football.

“I’m a rugby girl so came here as a kid to watch some internationals,” she said, rather sheepishly.

“It’s mainly rugby league I watch – as a fan of my local club Warrington Wolves - but I do watch the odd rugby union game when my Dad isn’t looking. I don’t tend to sway with football but would sit and watch rugby league when it’s on.” 

She’ll be forever associated with the first women’s team to run out for a football international, performing adequately to suggest she’ll make up for lost time.

Central defence, similar to the men’s team, is Ireland’s most stocked area on the pitch for talent but she bypassed former Celtic teammate Claire O’Riordan on Saturday to capture a spot alongside Diane Caldwell and Louise Quinn.

The latter tended to be the target from Ireland’s various set-piece scuds but Hayes shared the mantle on Saturday, flicking on for Kyra Carusa to have the first chance on Saturday.

“Louise said earlier in the week that I’d save her a few brain cells,” joked Hayes. “Maybe or maybe not but I’ve admired Louise Quinn for a long time. If she can teach me how to head the ball like she does, I won’t be too far off from getting a goal.

“We’re just working together and I’ll provide for this team in any way. If that happens to be set-pieces, I’m there.” 

Better late than never and she laid down her case for continuity of starts in this Nations League campaign.

“Someone happily reminded me that she scored against us in a Scottish Cup final,” said Gleeson. “We've got strong defenders but I know of Caitlin’s capabilities and now we've got another one.”