Sean Maguire described his first senior goal for the Republic of Ireland as a dream come true.
The forward got his first goal in an Ireland shirt in the 3-1 win over New Zealand on Thursday night, with a superb effort from just outside of the box.
Speaking to PNE.Com on Friday afternoon, the 25-year-old reflected on a memorable night at the Aviva Stadium: "When you start playing football when you are four or five years of age, you dream of a moment like scoring for your country so to finally do it is a dream come true.
"I've had two and a half years since my debut and I know it's better than never, to score for your country is a dream come true.
"There is no better feeling than playing for your country and obviously to top it all off by scoring is amazing.
"You see the caps keep building and building and to not see your goal tally increasing is a bit frustrating but to finally get up and running is great and hopefully I can kick on from now.
"The more caps you get, the more pressure you put on yourself and you know that people l will be looking in from the outside because you haven't been scoring goals, so to finally get that goal last night I can hopefully kick on."
🎥 What a strike from @Seani_Maguire_ for his first senior goal in an @FAIreland shirt! 👏🇮🇪 #pnefc
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) November 14, 2019
pic.twitter.com/AfEnfnmcLm
On scoring in front of the home crowd in Dublin, Seani continued: "Funnily enough it was my first start at Aviva Stadium, it was my seventh cap but every other one was either coming off the bench here and I've had two starts away from home so to have my family there made it more special."
As well as getting on the scoresheet, Maguire was also named man of the match after an impressive performance and he's now hoping to have given manager Mick McCarthy plenty to think about ahead of Monday's crucial Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark.
"I was really happy with the way I played, not just the goal but I played off the left where I have been playing all season with the club so I was comfortable.
"I felt that I had to put in a performance, not just for myself but for the Irish fans in general and for the manager because I don't think I've really done that in the last couple of years.
"Since I made my debut I've been a bit frustrated and a bit disappointed with the way I've played in recent appearances and so it was really important for me to put in a good performance and to top it off with a goal, then it was just an added bonus to get the man of the match as well.
"Hopefully it gives the gaffer some food for thought heading in to a big game on Monday. Obviously we need the three points against Denmark to hopefully qualify for the European Championships next year.
"I think it will be a great occasion for everyone involved, hopefully a packed out Aviva and hopefully I can contribute in any way possible.
On potentially reaching next year's tournament, the Irishman continued: "Having the European Championships in your home city is the stuff of dreams, potentially we could have three games at the Aviva next summer so we will be looking forward to having the European Championships in Dublin and we will be looking for that win on Monday to get there and we will look to kick on from there.
"I'm full of confidence at the moment, the performances from club level I brought in to the game yesterday and hopefully I can just continue that form now heading in to the game on Monday."