The 25-year-old striker was handed his first senior cap for his country when he and brother Stephen were introduced as second-half substitutes in the 3-2 defeat to Poland at Croke Park on Wednesday.

But the Reading team-mates found themselves in direct competition two minutes time when, after Shane Long had been tripped by Tomasz Jodlowiec, referee Kristinn Jakobsson pointed to the penalty spot.

Noel said: "I sprinted over but Stephen takes them for Reading as well, so until he misses, I can't have a complaint."

On the occasion itself Noel added: "I am very proud. I was gutted with the result - I thought we did enough to get a result.

"I was very thankful to get a run-out, and it was great to come on with Stephen. It was a great moment for me and Stephen.

"It's a proud moment to play for your country full stop and thankfully, the manager has given me a chance."

The defeat was Giovanni Trapattoni's first since he took the job, and while that came as a disappointment, his players are taking plenty of positives from the opening months of his reign.

Andy Keogh said: "We are second in the (World Cup qualifying) group, the team is looking well and we are scoring goals.

"We should have scored more last night and there will be one day when they all fly in.

"You saw the subs who came on, and they were brilliant. We are a good team, not just the 11 who start, but the squad, so there are a lot of positives for the future."

Wolves striker Keogh has played much of his international football under Trapattoni as a wide midfielder, a position he occupied against Poland but he is happy to play wherever he is selected.

"It was brilliant. The manager has shown faith in me and I will keep plugging away and doing what I do.

"I feel good and I just want to keep going, be part of the next qualifiers and get to the World Cup."