Lenihan basks in glow of historic appearance

This morning Meathman Darragh Lenihan can bask in the glow of having achieved a unique place in the history of Irish soccer after helping the Republic of Ireland defeat the USA 2-1 at the Aviva last night. 

Lenihan came on after 33 minutes for John O'Shea who was playing his last game in the green shirt after a lengthy and distinguished career. By making his appearance Lenihan is understood to be the first player from the Royal County to play senior international soccer for the Republic. 

The Dunboyneman who plays for Blackburn Rovers had started against Celtic in Scott Brown's testimonal but didn't get a run out against France in Paris last Monday evening. 

However he got the call last night and was unlucky not to score.  He was disappointed that he didn't do more to prevent the USA from going ahead just before the break but he played a crucial role in the equaliser in the second-half. 

Lenihan's shot looked destined for the net only for Graham Burke to get the final touch. Lenihan did find the net afterwards from a header but the 'goal' was ruled out. Another substitute Alan Judge came on to grab the winning goal in the closing minutes. 

Still, Lenihan was delighted afterwards with how the evening, he will never forget, unfolded. 

"One of the coaches told me to just focus on my job before I went on and that's what I tried to do," he said the Meath Chronicle afterwards. 

READ POST-MATCH INTERVIEW WITH DARRAGH LENIHAN IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE