Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has revealed he missed out on club-record signing £6.5million Kevin Doyle four years ago.

The manager finally got Doyle this summer, but admitted for the first time after last night’s 2-1 friendly win over Wexford Youths that he missed out on the Republic of Ireland international before the striker joined Reading in June 2005.

Doyle eventually signed for the Royals in a bargain £78,000 move from Cork City, when McCarthy was still in charge at Sunderland.

The Wolves boss said: “We were probably aware of Kevin just before he went to Reading and it was Steve Coppell who bought him from Cork.”

Doyle’s introduction to the professional game came in the Eircom League Wexford play in and McCarthy admits it can be a successful breeding ground, after taking Stephen Ward from Ireland’s top-flight.

He said: “It’s difficult to say that the Eircom League prepares people for the Premier League and Championship – there’s still work to be done – but we’ve done well with bringing some in.”

Last night’s game, watched by just under 2,800, was arranged as part of Doyle’s transfer to Wolves and to raise funds for Wexford Youths, where the striker started his career.

McCarthy said: “I’m delighted we were able to give something back. It was a good game. They were thrilled to get a goal which made their evening – it doesn’t really matter but I’m still glad we won.”

The match was played just a few miles from Doyle’s family home and Wolves’ squad dined at Ye Olde Cooper’s Inn, a pub owned by his parents.

He said: “We were treated excellently and it was a good trip. The rest of the lads were giving me stick so we had to make sure they were well looked after, but everyone enjoyed it.”