Pride on the north coast as Portstewart's 'PK' notches up first international goal for Northern Ireland
In only his second international start, Portstewart’s Patrick Kelly notched up his first goal for Northern Ireland during their friendly against France in Lille on Monday, June 8.
While Northern Ireland were defeated 3-1 by a hat-trick from Michael Olise, the north coast was buzzing after ‘PK’ scored in the 64th minute from a Shea Charles cross.
The Barnsley midfielder said his first Northern Ireland goal meant “everything” to him as he revealed his family had been watching at his father’s pub, the Top House in Portstewart.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Kelly said he was buzzing, adding: “It hasn’t really hit me yet.
"Obviously a bit disappointed with the result but when you look at their team, there wasn’t much expected of us against them and I felt we done really well.
"I probably had a chance or two I should have scored in the first half then obviously I get one in the second half which was a nice feeling to score my first international senior goal but a bit gutted I didn’t get another one.”
Praising his team mate Shea Charles, PK continued: “It was amazing from Shea, he’s a fantastic player and I seen him breaking and I kind of gambled that he was going to get the better of his man and he did. I just made a little movement to the right and thankfully, he found me and it was one of the easier ones I scored.”
Describing the experience as “surreal”, Kelly spoke about the French team’s physicality and speed on the ball: “They’re just that extra yard stronger and quicker.”
Among the comments on the Northern Ireland team’s Facebook page were: “Massive shout out to Patrick Kelly on a very big moment for him” and “buzzing for you PK - well deserved”.
Meanwhile, the Top House pub shared footage of the goal saying: “Wow!! First International Goal for our very own Patrick Kelly!”
The 21-year-old has taken significant strides forward since leaving West Ham last summer to get regular first-team football at Barnsley’s Oakwell, where he was named young player of the season for his debut campaign.