Aaron Connolly rounded off a dream day in the Premier League by being called up to Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland squad.
Connolly made an almost perfect first Premier League start for Brighton as he scored twice and was named man-of-the-match in his side's 3-0 victory over Tottenham.
Just hours after he was substituted to a standing ovation at Amex Stadium, the Galway teenager has even more reason to celebrate as news came through that Connolly and Blackburn Rovers defender Derrick Williams have been called into McCarthy's squad for the Euro 2020 qualifying games against Georgia and Switzerland.
Connolly is promoted from Stephen Kenny's Under-21 squad after a hamstring injury ruled out Portsmouth’s Ronan Curtis.
Williams gets his first call up from McCarthy after his Blackburn team-mates Greg Cunningham and Darragh Lenihan suffered knee injuries in the defeat at QPR.
"Aaron and Derrick will join up with the squad on Sunday after injuries to Ronan, Greg and Darragh," McCarthy told FAI.ie.
"I have spoken to Aaron and Derrick and they are looking forward to meeting up with us. Aaron enjoyed his full debut for Brighton and we have been keeping a close eye on his progress this season."
Connolly will be hoping that he can make as much impact for his country as he did for his club after he came into the Brighton starting XI at the expense of Yves Bissouma.
It was a dream start for the striker who scored his first and Brighton's second on 32 minutes when he was the quickest to react to a rebound from his initial shot, steering the ball past Paulo Gazzaniga.
The teenager then found the net again on 65 minutes when he cut in and arrowed a right-footed shot into the bottom corner.
He was withdrawn to a standing ovation in the final stages of the game.
"I can't really put it into words," Connolly said afterwards. "It’s a dream come true. I’ve been watching the Premier League since I was four or five, I watch Premier League Years all the time, and to be playing in it and scoring in it is indescribable."
Connolly has already featured off the bench for Brighton in the league this season, very nearly stealing the winner against Newcastle in St James's Park a fortnight ago.
He made his first competitive start arrived in the Carabao Cup ten days ago when he featured in Brighton's 3-1 loss to Aston Villa.
