Andy Keogh is stunned with his sudden elevation to senior ranks but he intends giving manager Steve Staunton a selection headache by knuckling down in training ahead of next week's San Marino game.
The 20-year-old is one of seven new caps named in Staunton's fresh-faced squad for next Wednesday's qualifier against the European minnows at Serravalle Stadium.
With out-of-form Clinton Morrison dropped from the squad, Kevin Doyle absent through injury and Stephen Elliott struggling with a knock despite selection, Keogh knows he could yet have a role to play.
Although fellow newcomer Anthony Stokes will probably partner captain Robbie Keane in attack, Keogh insists even the briefest of appearances would cap his childhood dreams.
"It's massive as a youngster growing up in Ireland to try and get into the national team," said the Dubliner who joined Wolverhampton Wanderers just last week.
"Me and my mates always used to wear Ireland jerseys down on the park and pretending we were Roy Keane and Damien Duff. Now I'm going to be training and playing with big name players like that which will be unbelievable."
"But obviously there are a few injuries and the manager wants to take a look at a few young lads. I'm delighted and really hope I might get a couple of minutes."
Keogh, a prolific scorer in Irish underage teams and recently capped at 'B' level, joined Wolves from Scunthorpe last week for an initial fee of £600,000, but which could eventually rise to £850,000.
He made his debut for Mick McCarthy in last night's 1-0 win at Norwich but admits the Irish call took him by surprise. Attempting to secure regular first-team action at his new club was his only priority.
"I really thought I'd have to come and do well at Wolves with a few good performances before something like this would happen," he conceded.
"I was asleep in my room and my Dad called me with the news and I just said, "shut up Da', you're lying! He was saying it was true but I didn't believe him and then he got my Mum to phone me two minutes later and finally I believed it."
Staunton has long been an admirer of Keogh's talents and was tracking the youngster's progress at Scunthorpe before signing for Wolves.
"Andy is a lad who has played well and scored a few goals before his move last week," the manager said yesterday.
Keogh will join up with his Republic of Ireland team-mates at their Portmarnock base this weekend but not before Wolves tackle Plymouth at Molineux on Saturday afternoon.
