The second half of 2021 - from the heartache in Portugal to Callum Robinson’s purple patch, Gavin Bazunu’s heroics and Chiedozie Ogbene bursting onto the scene - promised so much.
Ireland, it appeared were building up a head of steam and there was great excitement about this pacy young side.
2022 didn’t start off half bad either, thanks to Ogbene’s bicycle kick against Belgium and Troy Parrott’s smashing last-gasp winner against Lithuania.
