Patient Lenihan keen to stake a claim in Ireland defence

Whatever way you look at it, June 2022 was a pivotal month in the career of Darragh Lenihan.

Four years on from his second international cap, the commanding centre-half made his first competitive Republic of Ireland start in the 1-1 Nations League draw against Ukraine, a game lit up by defensive partner Nathan Collins' sensational solo goal.

A week later, after a decade’s service to Blackburn Rovers, he made the decision to join Championship rivals Middlesborough.

With more than 200 appearances to his name and entrusted with the captain’s armband, the decision to reject a contract extension wasn’t one he took lightly.

Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

But with two wins in their opening 11 league games, Chris Wilder was dismissed, replaced by Michael Carrick.

Having established himself during Tony Mowbray’s five-year stint in charge at Ewood Park, it has been a time of great change for the 28-year-old.

"I had a manager at five years [Mowbray], and now had three managers within four or five months," he told RTÉ Sport ahead of Thursday’s international friendly against Norway.

"It’s been a good challenge, one I will look back on that I think will test me as a person."

He has been impressed by Carrick’s "detailed" training sessions and is hopeful that Boro – with one defeat in the last five – can move further up the table from their current position of 14th.

A red card on his second outing with the Teesiders wasn't the idea start, but he's been a regular at the heart of the defence, playing in 17 of their 21 league games.

Based on what he saw last year in the Championship, the Meath man feels top-flight football is a realistic aim.

"As a young kid, you want to play in the