Royals striker Noel Hunt says he is exceptionally fortunate to have made his Ireland debut this week alongside his brother and other close friends from the Reading team.

Noel came on for his first Irish cap in a midweek friendly against Poland, and he was introduced as a sub at the same time as Stephen was brought on.

It was a fantastic moment for Noel, who was part of the squad with fellow Reading strikers Shane Long and Kevin Doyle, who are all good buddies off the pitch.

Noel said, "It's a proud moment to be able to say you played with close friends and your brother for Ireland. That doesn't happen often!

"It was great and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Going on with Stephen made it even better and I never would have imagined it.

"It's all happened quicker than I expected but I'm playing with good players at Reading - they help make me a player. I'd like to thank those boys for the call-up; Doyler, Longy, Stephen, Kebe, Cisse, Harps, it's very important.

"I actually got the call on Sunday from Stephen that I was in but I didn't believe him until he swore on the family!"