Saturday, October 21, 2000 will live long in the memory of Irish underage international Darryl McMahon.

The Dubliner had his parents at West Ham to witness him signing for the club on professional terms but first he had to little matter of a game against Millwall in the u17 league.

The game turned into a dream for the Irish youngster as he led his team to a 5-4 victory thanks to a personal hat trick. McMahon has been prolific for Ireland at underage level and he seems to have the same touch in league football.

He looks like one for the future and, given the way West Ham bring through their young talent, it might not be long before he is playing for the first team in front of the partisan Upton Park crowd.