Few Ireland players know the lift that an opening goal can provide in the Stephen Kenny era more than Alan Browne.
Saturday against Scotland was the second time that he bagged a game’s first goal - a scrappy, scrambled effort that rewarded another strong start and lifted any tension that was growing on the pitch and around the stands.
What followed - two stunning strikes that suggested an instant chemistry had been struck between Michael Obafemi and Troy Parrott - made all the headlines.
