DONEGAL’S Seamus Coleman and Ciaran Clark had great debuts for Ireland last night – and there was no-one as proud as goalie Shay Given.
The Donegal trio all starred in a 3-0 win over Wales in the Carling Nations Cup at the Aviva Stadium – the first time ever that three players from the county have started a senior international match.
Apart from a nervous and clumsy tackle by Clark early on – the debutants both settled really well.
And they were rewarded in the second half as Darron Gibson opened the scoring with a stunning shot on the hour, Damien Duff drove in from close range seven minutes later and substitute Fahey wrapped up victory eight minutes from time with a fine free-kick.
In the first half our Donegal due combined to almost the opening on the half hour mark.
Derryman Gibson laid off the ball to Coleman whose pinpoint cross was met by Clark, whose header went narrowly wide.
A large crowd of supporters from Killybegs, Milford and Manor travelled to support the Donegal duo – with more experienced supporters from Lifford also on the road to Dublin to see Shay Given in action in goals.
Everton star Coleman played for 58 minutes of his debut before being substituted, but got great reviews from soccer writers.
And team captain Shay Given was proud of both local lads.
“It was great for Seamus and Ciaran. They both played brilliantly and it is great having three Donegal connections in the team,” said the Lifford man.
“They were both fantastic and they can be very proud and their families can be very proud. It was good for me too….I’ve been outnumbered too long by these Dublin lads.”
Said Coleman afterwards: “Finally getting my first cap for Ireland was great and getting a good 60 minutes under my felt was brilliant. It was a fantastic win and a good confidence boost for our next games.”
And Clark admitted: “It was fantastic to be out there; there were a few nerves to start with but I soon settled and it was just great to get a first game under my belt.”
