Barnsley FC star Patrick Kelly on goal that 'meant everything' following maiden Northern Ireland strike versus France
BARNSLEY and Northern Ireland midfielder Patrick Kelly said his first senior international goal meant "everything" to him as he revealed his family had been watching at his father's pub back home in Portstewart.
The 21-year-old, who spent a previous spell in Yorkshire on loan at Doncaster Rovers, found the net in just his second senior start for his country.
Kelly netted in the second half of the 3-1 loss, having earlier been a whisker away from getting on the scoresheet in the opening period in Didier Deschamps' final home game in charge of Les Bleus on French soil with the game also serving as a send-off before France head to the World Cup finals in North America.
His display earned praise from his Northern Ireland Michael O'Neill after he crowned a 'brilliant year’ with his maiden goal for his country.
On the contribution of former West Ham player Kelly, O'Neill said: "He's had a brilliant year.
"He was always a good footballer. We were aware of his ability. Now he's developed physically to deal with the game. We're delighted with the progress he's made."
On his golden moment, Kelly added: "(It means) everything.
"I have been working towards something like that my whole life.
"It was a big thing for me getting in the squad not long ago and ticking off my first start in the last camp against Wales and then getting another start versus France and taking it step by step. Another thing I've been working towards is getting my first goal and I now have that."
Kelly's family did not make the trip out to France, but had the next best thing with a gathering at his dad's pub back at home.
"My family will be really proud," Kelly added.
"Unfortunately none of them were here but my dad owns the bar in Portstewart called the Portstewart Arms. I think the match was on and all my family and friends were there and they all celebrated."
His goal came at the end of a neat Northern Ireland counter-attack, with Isaac Price slipping the ball through for ex-Sheffield Wednesday loanee Shea Charles, who got away from Dayot Upamecano before squaring for Kelly to finish.
"It was one of the easier ones I'll score but it was a long run to get there," Kelly said.
"It was really good from Isaac and Shea, who are two very good players. When the ball went to Shea I made the run gambling that he would get by his man and he did. He does that all the time and he picked me out with a good ball."
Kelly had gone close to scoring when it was still 0-0, with the former Coleraine man sending a low shot narrowly wide after peeling away from his marker to get on the end of Price's cross.
"It was close and I thought it was going in," he added. "That's one I was annoyed about at half-time because when I hit it I thought it was in. I was half away celebrating and it just went a whisker wide of the post."
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland boss O'Neill said that a brave performance from his players in Monday's reverse showed they are no longer scared of anybody in world football.
Michael Olise scored a superb hat-trick to give France the win, but Northern Ireland acquitted themselves well and got their rewards courtesy of Kelly's strike midway through the second period.
Even after Olise had settled it with the pick of his goals, a curling strike from outside the area, Northern Ireland never let their heads drop as they battled to the final whistle.
Olise scored his first two goals either side of half-time, both strikes coming on the rebound from blocked shots.
O'Neill was unhappy the first one stood as he felt an offside Kylian Mbappe had blocked Owls keeper Pierce Charles' view of Olise's shot, but even as some things went against his side they kept fighting, defending superbly in the last 10 minutes to prevent a heavy loss.