Waiting game reaping rewards for in-form Andrew Omobamidele

It is no exaggeration to state that Andrew Omobamidele burst onto the international scene; sprung from the bench in the first half of an away World Cup qualifier, tasked with thwarting a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portuguese attack.

The young Leixlip lad, undaunted, stepped straight into the injured Dara O'Shea’s shoes and played his part in one of the most inspiring Ireland performances of the past three years.

Six days later in Dublin, Omobamidele was selected for his first start, and was again put in the firing line of a star-studded Serbian strike-force, and looked every inch like he belonged on the main stage, almost stealing the show late in the game with an audacious effort from 25 yards, which would have handed Ireland a victory against the eventual group winners.

Remarkably, Omobamidele has only gained five further caps since September 2021 with injury issues at Norwich leaving him sidelined for large chunks of the season, while a move to the Premier League at the start of this season has taken its time to bear fruit.

However, the 21-year-old has recently broken into the Nottingham Forest first team and is thriving under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo in recent weeks.

Now Omobamidele is back among his mates with the Ireland camp and is looking to start adding up the caps once again, and hoping to enjoy some game time against Belgium and Switzerland.

"It was difficult," said Omobamidele, when asked about the injury stopping him from enjoying the momentum of playing for Ireland as well as featuring for his club, Norwich, who were playing Premier League football at the time.

"I felt like it came at not the best time for me, because I felt I was really kicking on, but it happens.

"It was my first big injury that kind of set me