Everton defender Shane Duffy is still in shock at making his senior international debut for the Republic of Ireland under Martin O'Neill. The 22-year-old won his first senior cap against Costa Rica during the early hours of Saturday morning, fulfilling one long-held ambition.
Duffy said: "Me and James [McClean] were just speaking about that - we used to go to the games, and now he's picking me to play for his team.
"Everything has happened so quickly for me, it's still a blur for me really. Playing for Ireland, my country, there's no prouder feeling than to be here.
"All around world football, [O'Neill] is well known for what he's done. For him to pick me as a manager, he thinks I'm all right - that's just an honour for me to be in the squad."
He insists he never thought his chance had gone, but was delighted to have finally pulled on the green shirt.
He said: "I thought always if I was playing, I'd get a chance.
"This is my first season where I've played football. It's been just games here and there for a few years.
"I thought if I got a full season I always felt I had a chance. I have self-belief, but to be here is great.
"It's been a long four years. I don't know, I was just focussing on club football to see if I could get back to where I was, and hopefully this season I have shown that.
"Playing the other night was sort of a reward for four years ago, what happened, so I was just delighted.
"I am made up to be even in the squad, so to play was a dream. Obviously when you start playing football, you want to play for your country, so I was delighted when it actually came."
