Aaron Connolly said making his Republic of Ireland debut was his "proudest moment" but he couldn't help feeling it should have been even better after the Boys in Green were held scoreless in Georgia.
"It's just a great feeling," the 19-year-old Galway man told RTÉ Sport after coming on as a 78th-minute in the 0-0 draw in Tbilisi.
"It's just a proud moment for me, my family and everyone involved that has helped me the whole way up. It's definitely the proudest moment I've had.
"He (Mick) never really told me 'You're going to come on', it just depended on the game, I guess.
"Thankfully, I did come on, and probably should have scored. I'll probably have a sleepless one tonight after that."
Connolly is probably being a little harsh on himself after missing a 92nd-minute chance.
A long ball from Glenn Whelan set the Brighton striker free, but on a very uneven pitch he was forced to try a half-volley that he lashed into the side-netting.
We were worried about the pitch in Japan, but Aaron Connolly's big chance spoiled by a bobbly surface in Tbilisi #GEOIRL #rtesoccer https://t.co/yAeO7O0Klr pic.twitter.com/2leWJjZOjN
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 12, 2019
"At 0-0 in an international game like that, you've got score that one," he said.
"It just wouldn't come down. It was bobbling but I still think I should score.
"It's gutting to think about because I could have helped the team, helped the boys. We could have got the three points and it could have been a great debut.
"But it is a good point. We'll take the point and move on to Tuesday."
Tuesday is the crucial trip to Switzerland. A first defeat of the qualifying campaign would leave Ireland needing something from their final game at home to Denmark.
'It's definitely the proudest moment I've had' - Aaron Connolly says he probably should have scored after making his debut against Georgia in Tbilisi #GEOIRE pic.twitter.com/dzj38k77N2
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 12, 2019
Ireland looked far more threatening when Connolly arrived on the pitch and McCarthy admitted he could have given the Oranmore youngster more time. He is surely now in contention to start in Geneva.
"Switzerland is a massive game and it's an honour to even be considered to be involved in it," Connolly added.
"It's something I've dreamed of as a kid and it's come true tonight. If I do get the chance to start on Tuesday, it will be an even bigger honour."
Connolly's parents Karen and Mike flew in to watch his big moment, only arriving in Georgia at 5am this morning.
"It would have been nice to reward them for that late night with a goal, but they'll proud to just see me come on the pitch."
