A GRATEFUL goalie who has represented the Republic of Ireland's walking football team as a coach and a player says he owes everything to Morton.

Inverkip man Jim Boyle has earned himself an armful of caps for the Irish walking football side after picking up the sport at sessions run by Morton in the Community.

The club also supported Jim through several SFA coaching badges and he now works with some of Cappielow team's young goalkeepers, helping them hone their shot-stopping skills.

The 64-year-old told the Tele he feels indebted to the club for their help.

Jim said: "I could never have imagined I'd represent a country internationally, not in my wildest imaginations.

"It's a dream come true and this would never have happened without Morton.

"They've helped me by running the sessions at Inverkip Hub, and their chief executive Brian McLaughlin in particular has been very instrumental in helping out on the coaching side.

"He helped get me my coaching badges through the SFA.

"Morton were the catalyst in all of this - doing the coaching badges, playing for Ireland - none of it could have happened without them.

"Having the international caps is wonderful, but what makes it really incredible is when you go along to Inverkip Hub or a game in Glasgow and see the guys playing.

"Walking football gives guys who just want to play the game a chance, regardless of their age."

Jim, who has played football for most of his life, gave the sport up over a decade ago after finding it too physically demanding.

He says that while he's not as athletic as he once was, his goalkeeping reflexes are just as sharp and he was able to slot right back into shot-stopping when a neighbour introduced him to walking football at the end of 2020.

Despite being raised in Scotland, Jim's Irish family make him eligible to represent them.

He says that playing for the nation had been an incredible experience.

He added: "I've played about a dozen games for Ireland now and there have been some amazing moments.

"When we beat Wales 7-4 in Dublin and it was really special.

"It was in front of a home crowd of about 2,000 people in the national sports centre.

"A lot of people got wind of the event and the fact England and Wales were going to be there, which made it a big attraction for people to come and watch.

"It's incredible you're standing there and they're playing the national anthem.

"People have asked why I didn't play for Scotland, but Ireland asked me.

"If Scotland had come calling first I'd have been every bit as keen to play with them and every bit as proud.

"It sounds crazy but at the end of the game it was really emotional, winning in front of a crowd of thousands was brilliant."