""I'm really happy, a proud moment to make my debut. "I was on standby for the last two camps when I knew I wasn't too far away. I'd spoken to Michael then and then obviously there were a couple of injuries in midfield, so I knew there was a good chance I could get called up and thankfully that has happened.""
""I had a year left at West Ham [on his contract] and I had just had a good loan, and I was probably going to go on loan again to Doncaster - the same team I was at. "We just had a chat and I asked him for a bit of advice because I had a couple of offers to go permanent. "I just felt permanent would be better because I feel like when you're at a club as a permanent player you feel more valued and you maybe play a bit more.""
Patrick Kelly, 21, made his Northern Ireland debut as a late substitute in a 1-0 win over Luxembourg, concluding World Cup qualifying Group A for Michael O'Neill's side. Kelly progressed from Coleraine to West Ham in 2022, spent time on loan at Doncaster and moved permanently to League One club Barnsley in the summer. The permanent move followed discussion with O'Neill and Kelly's belief that a permanent contract offers greater value and playing opportunities. His international call-up was influenced by injuries and suspensions to other midfielders. Northern Ireland now prepare for March play-offs.
Read at www.bbc.com
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