Former Ireland international Michael Doyle made a heroic debut in goal for Notts County this week after his side earned a 3-1 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge where the 39-year-old deputised on goal.
The National League side were reduced to 10 men for 75 minutes during which former Republic of Ireland midfielder Michael Doyle was forced to make his debut as a goalkeeper.
The 39-year-old, who was playing at Coventry at the time, earned his solitary cap for the Republic of Ireland way back in 2004 when the ‘Boys in Green’ took on Holland.
We can't show you the goals until tomorrow evening, so we'll leave you with one of the skipper's many excellent saves from a quite incredible night! 🖤 pic.twitter.com/WYVnwoj1wi
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) February 9, 2021
Video courtesy of Notts County via Twitter
Doyle attributed his handy goalkeeping skills to the years he spent playing Gaelic football back in Dublin, and revealed that his team-mates were calling him ‘The Monk’ in tribute to Jason Statham’s character in Mean Machine.
The 39-year-old also revealed that his team-mates had also photoshopped his head onto Manuel Neuer’s body in pictures sent into the team WhatsApp group.
The club captain’s debut in goal has earned him the brilliant nickname of ‘Schmeichel Doyle’ by Notts County fans, which we are sure will feature during games when fans are allowed back.
Six minutes of pure joy. pic.twitter.com/I83gI9rEpL
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) February 9, 2021