Chiedozie Ogbene relishing 'one in 200,000' rise from Limerick to Premier League

Even if the Player of the Match award at the Aviva Stadium wasn't restricted to those in green shirts, Chiedozie Ogbene would probably have gotten the nod for his relentless performance in Republic of Ireland's loss to France last March.

Playing wide right, Ogbene shared a wing with one Kylian Mbappe and had dual responsibilities - assisting Seamus Coleman in helping to stymie the French superstar, while also providing the Boys in Green with an attacking outlet in a region of the pitch where the coaching staff spotted opportunities.

With Mbappe given so much latitude to focus on attacking the opposition, this could leave Theo Hernandez ever so slightly vulnerable behind him. Ogbene was instructed to attack down that flank which he did with gusto.

"We watched clips of them, obviously their strong side is their left side - as well as their weakness.

"If we can overload the full-back, that gives us a chance. As one of the best players in the world is playing on the left side, the full-back has to do double running for him, so I saw that as an effective way, if we can overload them.

"Show them respect, but not too much respect. They are one of the best countries in the world, but we need to go out there and raise the intensity, no matter who you play against, if you raise the intensity it will be a difficult night for anybody."

It was another night which bolstered Ogbene's standing as a darling of the Lansdowne Road crowd. And with Evan Ferguson missing out this week through injury, the all-action attacker will have a chance to further endear himself to the fans.

"I am really privileged to be here, you see a packed Aviva and what it means to the country, that atmosphere creates that fire in every player to perform for yourself, for