If newly called up Alan O’ Brien gets to step on to the pitch for the Republic of Ireland next week it’s a fair bet it will be somewhat different to his usual surroundings.
The Dubliner is in Steve Staunton’s squad to face Holland at what will be a packed Landsdowne Road next Wednesday.
The United winger though is used to turning out for Newcastle United’s reserves at Kingston Park in front of a few hundred members of the Toon Army.
He will be joined in his native Dublin by Stephen Carr, who has reversed his decision to quit international football, as well as Shay Given and Damien Duff.
O’ Brien, who has appeared for Eire U21s already, was afforded a rapturous round of applause by his team-mates when United touched down in Latvia yesterday for their UEFA Cup tie against Ventspils where he could add to his first team experience in Riga tomorrow night.
It’s fair to say he usually catches the eye in the reserves with his electrifying runs down the left as well as his eye for goal.
And perhaps the first team beckons for the 21-year-old this season, who knows?
Those hearty souls who regularly queue for Bovril in the sub zero temperatures of Kingston Park will testify, he is worth certainly worth another look after making a few cameo appearances in 2006 so far for United.
Should he become a full international, he will join an exclusive club alongside Andy O’ Brien and Liam O’ Brien, two of United’s other full Eire caps of years gone by.
Whether he can write himself into an even more exclusive group and the lyrics of the much-loved Any O' Brien song by becoming a THIRD O’ Brien to score against Sunderland though remains to be seen!
Stranger things have happened - but one thing is for certain it could only be in the Carling or FA Cup if it was to happen this season.
The O’ Brien Song (to the tune of Any Old Iron)
Liam O'Brien Andy O'Brien
Any Any Any O'Brien
Who Put The Ball In The Mackems Net
O'Brien O'Brien
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