TWO students from an Irvine college were honoured to earn call-ups for their country.

Goalkeeper Robbie Kelly (20) and midfielder Ryan McGoldrick (24) were both selected for the Scotland Colleges national football team after a successful trial period and played in the 3-1 defeat against Wales on November 26.

The match took place at Clyde Football Club’s Broadwood Stadium and Robbie played the full second half while Ryan played the last 20 minutes.

The duo, who are both based at the Irvine campus of Ayrshire College, will continue to represent Scotland Colleges until the end of the session, with their next match scheduled against the Scottish Schools team in 2016.

Both students have football experience, with Robbie currently playing at Under-21’s level for Johnstone Burgh after a spell at Junior team Kilbirnie Ladeside, while Ryan previously played Amateur football.

They were both delighted to be selected this year – after Robbie failed to make the side last term.

Ryan said “After the trial I don’t think either of us were thought we were going to be there, so it was a bit of a surprise. I enjoyed it, everybody there is good and the guys know their stuff so I’m looking forward to playing more games. I’m glad it’s something that we’re doing.”

Of the match, Robbie added: “I thought I did all right. I was a bit disappointed letting the third goal in. The first two I couldn’t really do anything about but for the third the ball just kind of bounced off me and they scored from the rebound. The players in the squad come from all over Scotland but there’s a great team spirit."

Robbie is studying HND Coaching and has aspirations to become an Active School co-ordinator while Ryan is on the Level 6 Sport and Fitness course and hopes to progress down the Sports Science route.

Lecturer Johnny Sinclair is proud of their achievements and said: “Everyone at the college is very proud of the boys. They have worked extremely hard in class as well as on the field when playing for the college football team. I’m delighted they were given the opportunity to compete at international level. This is something they will always remember.”