Killian Phillips was on the scoresheet for his first ever competitive appearance for the Ireland U21s on Tuesday night - but their qualifier against Italy was to have a crushing conclusion.
Ireland went 1-0 up in the first half thanks to Phillips stepping in and finishing after the ball had gotten stuck under the feet of teammate Sam Curtis in the box.
Though Willy Gnonto levelled from the spot just before half-time, it would not take Ireland long to forge back ahead thanks to a close-range strike early in the second-half from Sinclair Armstrong - in flying form on the night.
Ireland were the better side throughout the second-half, but a crushing 96th minute equaliser from Gnonto would silence the Turners Cross crowd.
It was a bittersweet end to a fantastic performance from Jim Crawford's side, after similar disappointment in Friday's defeat to Norway.
Nonetheless, Wycombe Wanderers man Phillips could not hide his delight at having scored on home turf when conducting his post-match interview, summing up what it means to play for your country in beautiful fashion.
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Killian Phillips shows class in post-match interview
Killian Phillips has made headlines in recent weeks, with the young Dubliner earning praise from both his club and his Ireland U21s manager for his stance on Remembrance Day.
Phillips made his first competitive appearance for the Ireland U21s on Tuesday night and, though the result of a draw was ultimately disappointing, a goal and a run-out in front of a home crowd were enough to have something of a smile on the youngster's face at full-time.
Everyone has a story. A little insight into what starting and scoring for the first time for your country means to Killian Philips. Pity the result didn't go his way, but the Under 21 squad are on track 🇮🇪 #rtesport pic.twitter.com/bWSGlncXM0
— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) November 22, 2023
Speaking to RTÉ's Darren Frehill on the pitch at full-time in Cork, Phillips summed up his conflicting emotions in a brilliant and heartfelt interview.
The Wycombe man said that playing in front of his mother meant the world to him, and that scoring his first goal for Ireland was the "proudest moment" of his life thus far:
It's bittersweet, to be honest with you. It's my first competitive start for Ireland and I'm delighted to score, but we're just gutted at the end because the boys gave it everything.
I'm knackered! I can't even do this interview, I'm knackered. Gave it all, it's just gutting. It would have been a huge three points.
It was a bit emotional, to be honest [starting the game]. I've come a long way, I've worked so, so hard. All them late nights has come down to a moment like this.
My mam was here tonight, she doesn't get to watch me that much because I'm abroad. To score in front of her...I've wrote it down millions of times. To score for Ireland is probably the proudest moment of my life, you probably saw it in my celebrations. I was close to tears.
I'm buzzing, I'm delighted, and obviously I'm gutted about the result. But that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
It was a poignant interview, which summed up the emotion that comes with representing your country.
Phillips and his Ireland teammates remain in a steady position in their qualifying group for the U21 European Championships in 2025, thanks in no small part to Norway's defeat to Turkey on Tuesday night.
Ireland remain in second place in the group midway through the campaign. The three best runners-up will qualify automatically for the tournament, while the remaining runners-up will contest the play-offs for the final three places at the tournament.
Though a draw with Italy is by no means a poor result, it will be tinged with disappointment that the side could not hold on to their lead and seal what would have been a memorable and crucial victory.
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