Quinn so proud after finally getting chance to wear the green

For the vast majority, Sunday evening’s friendly against Georgia was a forgettable outing, shorn of any competitive edge, but you’d be hard pushed to convey such a sense of insignificance to Stephen Quinn.

Over six years since he was first part of the senior setup, Quinn finally put his hands on a cap by coming on as a 75th minute substitute for Wes Hoolahan. Back in February 2007, as a fresh-faced 20-year-old, the Dubliner was named in the extended squad to face San Marino in a Euro 2008 qualifier, but never made an appearance.

Since then, he has been a constant performer in England and although he plummeted from the Premier League to League One with Sheffield United, before ascending up the ranks again with Hull City, the past 12 months have been his best.