“He looks a different player. He’s oozing that confidence now and he looked the real deal today.”

Someone in the Garda Press Office has posted a cheeky joke - with an important message - ahead of Ireland’s match with Denmark on Saturday.

His international exposure for this summer gathering was almost over before it got started but a fully fit Eunan O’Kane is prepared to play his part for Ireland on Sunday if required.

Seven months on from his initial Ireland call-up, Eunan O’Kane finally has a senior cap to cherish and plans to use the springboard to further his Euro 2016 claims.

Six years ago, Eunan O’Kane was just a statistic; another talented youngster dumped by a Premier League club and forced to return home with his pride and career in ruins.