Matthew went to trials last week and obviously impressed the Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shields to such an extent that he received a call up after just one trial.

    Matthew has been playing with the Kesh club since the age of 6, coming through their mini soccer school and played for Fermanagh in the recent Milk Cup. Last year he helped NFC Kesh 3rds win Reserve Division 3 in the Fermanagh and Western and this year he has made the step up to the first team, playing for Kesh in last week’s replayed match versus Dergview Reserves. Matthew is also a member of the Kesh U16 team that has just reached the final of the U16 league cup in the Brendan Keogh Youth League by virtue of a 3-0 win over Ballinamallard last week.

    Matthew is looking forward to his four days with the Northern Ireland team. They will stay in the Bohill Hotel and Country Club in Coleraine, playing Scotland on Monday, September 9 at the Coleraine Showgrounds at 7.30pm. They will face Scotland again in a second friendly at the Showgrounds, Limavady at 11.00am on Wednesday, September 11.

    Kieran McKenna who is currently with Tottenham Hotspur is also in the squad. Matthew was delighted with his call up and is looking forward to the experience: “Hopefully, I will get a good chance in the games and play well. I am really looking forward to the four days, it is a good opportunity.”