Days with St Mark’s come ‘in handy’ for Doyle at Notts County
By Hayden Moore
FORMER Ireland footballer Michael Doyle had to draw on his playing days with St Mark’s GAA Club when he was drafted in as a goalkeeper in Notts County’s 3-1 win against Dagenham and Redbridge.
Doyle, who has played most of his career in midfield, ended up pulling on goalkeeper gloves after his side where reduced to 10 men when netminder Sam Slocombe was sent off.
Tallaght's Michael Doyle in goal for Notts County
The 39-year-old pulled off a string of saves, only conceding in the 91st minute after his side were already 3-0 up in the National League match.
After the game, Michael credited his playing days with St Mark’s for his heroics on Wednesday night.
“I played a lot of Gaelic when I was younger, up to an age with my brothers and that, up in our local GAA club, St Mark’s in Tallaght, where I grew up, and I loved it,” the Notts County captain said in his post-match interview
“But I never thought I’d end up in goal.
“Thank God all them years of playing Gaelic, catching the ball, it kind of came in handy a bit.”
Michael played for St Mark’s from a young age, togging out with the likes of David O’Callaghan, Sean McCann and John Kelly.
“When you go over to Mick’s house, there is this big picture of him playing for St Mark’s Under 14s above the staircase,” Michael’s brother Thomas told The Echo.
“There was actually a game we played against Park Rangers. Mick was about 16/17 at the time I reckon, and he was in corner forward.
“It was a Junior game, myself, Denis McCarthy and his son Denny in the full-back line I remember it.
“Park Rangers were unbeaten in about two-years at the time, it was a huge game.
“And Mick was coming out taking the frees off the deck, coming out as a third midfielder putting himself about, he was a nippy fella.
“He ended up kicking 1-10 that day and we beat them.”
Michael started off his career overseas as a trainee with Celtic, turning professional in 1998 and has since enjoyed stints with Coventry City, Leeds United, Sheffield United and now Notts County.
“He’s been over playing professional football in England for a long time. The last time he would have played [for St Mark’s] was probably over 10/12 years ago,” Thomas recalls.
“But he’s mad about the club. Every time I call him he’s asking about the club.
“And the minute he finishes up over there he does be home doing a bit, running around the field with Franny [McCann, St Mark’s Men’s football manager].”
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