Coventry La La La
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Young Sky Blues shot stopper Michael Quirke used the word 'surreal' to describe his full league debut for the 1st team.
The 19-year-old steeped into the breach to replace first choice keeper Keiren Westwood who was withdrawn from the side earlyier in the day.
Westwood was substituted with an injury at half time in City's home defeat to Bristol City last Saturday and number 2 Dany Ireland also suffered and injury after coming on to replace him.
The unfortunate setbacks for the two custodians though handed Quirke his oppertunity to start for Coventry at Doncaster on Tuesday night with the youngester just five minutes from recording a clean sheet in the 1-1 draw.
Freddy Eastwood opened the scoring for City in the 22nd minute at the Keepmoat Stadium but James Hayter snatched an 89th minute leveller for Sean O'Driscoll's side.
And although the club academy graduate said it was disappointing to concede so late in the game, the whole for for him has been a dream come true.
"I was five minutes away from a clean sheet which would have been fantastic way to end my debut but im still pleased with my performance and it's definetly been a day to remembers," he said.
"ITs been a long jorney. I've been here since I was eight years old and you dream of days like this. It's my 11th year at the club and it's what you work hard for. You just want to play in the first team and I've done that now so I want to keep doing it.
"Nothings beats playing for the first team and it's something to make my mum and dad proud because they've always supported me so it's nice to be able to give them something back.
Quirke, currently in the middle of his first one-year pro contract deal with the Sky Blues also said his senior team mates around him to offer support before the game, during and after.
"The lads in the team have been great since they found out I would be going in. I found out at 2pm before the game that Westwood wouldn't be going in and that I'd got the nod from the managers and the lads were great.
"They were giving me encouragement during the game and teeling me how well I'd done afterwards so it's just a shame we didn't get the win."
Quirke said he also got invaluable advice off the one player he aims to keep out of the team.
"Westy is probably the toughest character to keep out and that's my aim but he's been absolutly unbelievable with me
"His experiance is second to non and you can only learn from the best. He sorted me out with a pair of his gloves before the game and was with me all the way throught. I coudln't have asked for anything more.
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