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'Must be fun and get along well with my friends' - Irish teenager puts ad in DoneDeal to find himself a date for his graduation ball

(Source: DoneDeal/Matthew O'Gorman)

DONEDEAL in Ireland is usually reserved for the buying and selling of farming equipment, cars and other pre-loved items.

But in true entrepreneurial style, a young Dublin man has advertised wares of a different kind - himself.

Speaking to The Irish Post Matthew O'Gorman, 18, from Arklow, Co.Wicklow, says he posted the ad last week in the hopes of securing a date to his Debs later this month.

"I was bored in work and had just asked a female friend to go with me but she was going on holiday so I thought I'd post an ad on DoneDeal looking for a Debs date," he said.

The Debutante Ball is an event popular in most Irish schools which takes place in the August-September months for the outgoing Leaving Certificate class.

In his ad, Matthew states that "due to circumstances" he doesn't have a Debs date, but assures his prospective date that this will come with "full trimmings, i.e., flowers and chocolates for [her] parents, lifts, corsage, food and drink."

The credentials for a good Debs date, according to Matthew, include being "fun, with a good sense of humour and get along well with his friends."

Matthew describes himself as having a good sense of humour, a non-smoker, generous, good craic and from a large family, before he goes on to provide recommendations from his friends and family.

According to his mammy, he's "the most handsome boy in the world." Another friend rates him as, "Ah, he's alright I suppose, can't cycle for sh*te though."

The ad, which was placed six days ago, has already been viewed over 23,000 times on the site.

So far, Matthew has received over 150 responses to the ad, from women aged 18 -27. He says he has shortlisted the applicants down to five ladies but is yet to decide on who to bring.

"I want to meet them all first before beforehand, but I'll have to do it soon so it'll give her time to get a dress."