REPUBLIC of Ireland soccer star Kevin Doyle and girlfriend Jennifer Harney have been successful in their bid to gain planning permission for their Irish dream home. And the house at Killurin will be as green as the shirt on his back when he plays for Ireland.

The man who picks off the goals for Wolverhampton Wanderers and his country has his sights set on an A-rated energy efficient home. The drawings compiled by architect Raymund Kelly show a huge five-bedroomed, two-storey home with a large carport.

But, with its curved front designed to catch the rays of the sun, plus the latest in insulation and glazing, it will be easy to heat. The house also includes a gymnasium where the sportsman and his Wellingtonbridge girlfriend can keep fit.

His Premiership and international exploits have made the Adamstown native one of the most popular and readily recognised people in all of Wexford. But the location in Killurin, in the townland of Redina, will allow him to relax away from the public gaze. The house, on more than three acres of farmland, will not be visible from the roadway.

With his five-figure a week earnings from Wolves, he will not blanch at the prospect of having to pay ¤6,000 in levies to the county council. The local authority is also insisting that he go to the expense of re-aligning the ditch at the entrance to the property in the interest of road safety.

According to architect Raymund Kelly, in a letter to the council, Redina will be the primary residence of the applicants, who have been renting accommodation in Britain. As time goes by, they intend to spend more of their time in Ireland, the Wexford town based architect suggests.

Of course, building a house will be the furthest thing from the mind of Kevin Doyle tonight (Wednesday) as he lines out with Ireland in Paris to take on the French in a must-win World Cup qualifier.

- David MEDCALF