Dara O’Shea’s winning goal against Fulham the latest episode in his whirlwind few weeks

We have grown accustomed over time to hearing Republic of Ireland players remark how a sojourn with the international team can offer a safe house of sorts from the rigmarole of club life, especially if minutes are scarce and the love is not being shown.

But after an international window like no other, where the mental fatigue attached to events off the pitch in Hungary and Serbia was as draining as exertions on it across four games, you suspect the players would have traipsed across hot coals to escape it all.