Republic of Ireland offer cause for optimism one year after humiliation

At a time when the strains of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) echoing across the Irish Sea from Cardiff have stoked envy among Republic of Ireland fans who have had comparatively little to be enthused about in recent years, the pin-prick sign of what looks suspiciously like a light at the end of a long and dark tunnel has been spotted.

Last Saturday Ireland came from behind twice to hold Belgium to a draw in a packed Aviva Stadium and for the first time since the pre-Covid era fans left the south Dublin ground surfing a wave of what looked like cautious optimism. Of course there are caveats; while much was made of Ireland’s draw against the top-ranked team in the world, it behoves us to point out it was only a friendly and the visitors fielded an experimental side without most of their box-office names.

But as the hoary old saw goes, you can only play the team in front of you, and after an inauspicious run of 11 games without a win that followed the appointment of Stephen Kenny as manager during lockdown in 2020, Ireland are unbeaten in seven and have clearly come a long way since the embarrassment of losing a World Cup qualifier at home to Luxembourg almost a year ago to the day.

On Tuesday night Ireland host Lithuania in another friendly and all eyes will be on Chiedozie Ogbene, a most unlikely saviour who plays for the League One side Rotherham United. Utilised as a wing-back for the third-tier leaders, the 24-year-old plays further forward for Ireland, made his debut against Hungary last summer and headed the first of three goals he has scored in six appearances for his country against Azerbaijan last October.

Against Belgium Ogbene emphatically announced himself to the Irish public, teeing himself up for an