Ruairi McConville could not take the smile off his face. The 19-year-old Brighton defender was reliving the moment he had become Northern Ireland’s newest international admitting he couldn’t believe how loud Windsor Park was.
With his proud family watching on in the stands the former Linfield Academy player came on in the 86th minute of a 2-0 Nations League victory for Michael O’Neill’s side against Belarus on Friday declaring afterwards that he’ll never forget the night he made his senior debut having come through the youth ranks for Northern Ireland.
Speaking to the press McConville was genuinely overjoyed – it was lovely to witness and a reminder of how much playing at the highest level means.
“It’s amazing, no one can really wipe the smile off my face,” the teenager told me.
“It’s a feeling that will stick with me the rest of my career and hopefully it’s the first of many.
“On the bench I heard the conversation they (O’Neill and his coaching staff) were having, saying they needed a bit of height so as soon as I heard that I was getting excited.
“I was sitting on my hands, and I was ready when they gave me a nod. I didn’t know what to do, I was so excited and then when I stood up I got in the zone. I could hear the fans all around me, I was so excited to get on the pitch.
“I couldn’t believe how loud it was. I was trying to talk on the pitch and I couldn’t hear myself. It was madness, but it was an experience that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
“There was still a job to be done when I came on (at 2-0) and I tried to do that. We were focused on trying to get the clean sheet and to get the result and thankfully we got that.”
And now that he has had a taste of it?
“It’s what everyone dreams of and I’m going to work hard to get back in the squad for March,” he says.
Before that on Monday with Ciaron Brown suspended for the fixture in Luxembourg, where Northern Ireland need a point to guarantee topping their group, McConville has a chance of starting given Paddy McNair and Eoin Toal are already absent through injury.
“There’s opportunities all the time. We’ve got to get over there and train well and who knows what Michael will do. I’ll train well. We’re all focusing on the game on Monday,” said the defender.
Talking about his first call up to O’Neill’s squad, the enthusiasm oozed out of the teen.
“It was a weird one. I knew I was on standby and you never know if you may get called in. I got the email and the coaches at Brighton told me I was called in and even then I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
“I was just buzzing and couldn’t wait to get in and around the group. I’ve learned so much here and hopefully there’s many more opportunities to come.”
Quizzed on what he had learned, McConville replied: “Even the simple things. There’s so many different sides of the game you learn here with players playing in all different types of leagues, so just seeing them, the experience they have. You get to see how they play and how they conduct themselves and things I’ll try and take into my game.”
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McConville is another bright young talent for O’Neill in a squad full of them. Seeing others of a similar age shine on the big stage has been an inspiration for the Brighton player.
“You see how well they’re doing. They got this chance like me and they’re doing so well to keep their place in the squad and that’s what I’m going to try and do,” he said.
“I’m learning from them. They’re so young but so experienced already. I can learn from them and hopefully build on that.
“I knew most of them and that helped me settle in so well. They’re learning different sides to the game playing with their clubs and I hope to do that as well.
“I’ve played with Callum (Marshall) and Brodie (Spencer) all the way up through the age groups and it keeps that chemistry. We’re all so proud of each other trying to get to the top.”
McConville is well regarded at Premier League side Brighton, who he joined from Linfield in 2021. Whether he will need to go on loan to play first team football time will tell.
He said: “I’ve had experience with the first team and they’re a top, top quality group, you learn so much and it gives me a bit of exposure. That’s my plan now, to get out and play first-team football and get more experience.”