Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan made his Republic of Ireland debut in the 2-1 win over USA in Dublin.

Lenihan replaced John O’Shea, who was playing his final game for his country, in the 33rd minute of the friendly.

In doing so, Dunboyne-born Lenihan became the first player from Meath to earn a senior cap for the Republic of Ireland and impressed in his 67 minute outing. 

He came within millimetres of a first goal – his shot turned in on the line by Graham Burke in the 57th minute to draw Ireland level.

Having gone close then, he had a goal wrongly chalked off midway through the second half for offside as he rose highest to nod a left-wing free-kick in to the far corner. 

Ireland weren't to be denied though, with former Rover Alan Judge scoring a last minute winner after coming off the bench moments before. 

Lenihan had been an unused substitute in Monday’s defeat in France, just as he was in March when Ireland were beaten by Turkey.

He followed Rovers team-mate Derrick Williams in winning his first senior cap for his country after the 25-year-old did so in the French defeat.

Lenihan, who played 14 times in 2017/18 for Rovers following seven months out injured, was a regular for the Ireland youth set-ups during his development.

He partnered former Rovers defender Shane Duffy in the heart of the Ireland defence.

They trailed to Bobby Wood's goal on the stroke of half-time before they turned things around through Burke's equaliser and Judge's late winner.