Jake Doyle-Hayes.

Soccer starlet Jake swaps Breffni Park for Qatar

There was an early Christmas present for one Ballyjamesduff family last Saturday morning when 13-year-old Jake Doyle-Hayes from Park View received a call-up to the Republic of Ireland U15 soccer squad, which flew out to Qatar the following day. St Clare's student Jake, who doesn't turn 13 until December 30, was on standby and received a late call-up, explained proud parents Jim and Maria. "It's just fabulous, we're absolutely delighted and very proud," said Jim. Jake, an attacking midfielder who has already attracted attention from top English clubs, follows in the footsteps of Martin Reilly, Cillian Sheridan, Jonny Leddy and Ryan O'Reilly in winning an underage Irish cap. He was due to play a Gaelic football schools final last night (Tuesday) but instead found himself lining out against Italian giants Juventus, where he was the youngest player on the field. The family are originally from Marino in Dublin and moved to Ballyjamesduff ten years ago. Jake's grandfather, Mick Maguire, captained Shelbourne FC back in the 1920s and his father played Gaelic football for the famed St Vincent's and Dublin. "Jake is technically one of the best players I have ever seen," says Cavan-Monaghan coach Ollie Martin. "We tend to forget just how young Jake is because he is so talented, but he is still a young child. We are all absolutely delighted for him and his family because his attitude is first-class, he's a lovely, lovely lad, and he has the skills to go with it. I have no doubt that this is the first of many schoolboy caps he will win."