The perfect return for Ireland’s Robbie Brady

It was a fairy-tale ending to an impressive international break for Preston North End’s Robbie Brady who was recalled to the squad earlier this month for the first time since March 2021.

On his first start since the recall, the 30-year-old got an assist in addition to scoring a stoppage-time penalty which sealed a 3-2 win for the boys in green and secured their Nations League B status.

It’s been a resurgence for Brady since reigniting his career with a move back to Lancashire under Ryan Lowe at Preston.

The winger, who’s featured mainly as a left wing-back for the Lilywhites, is no stranger to the North-West after spending four years at Burnley.

And it appears to have been the perfect move as he signed as a free agent on a one-year deal that will surely be extended at Deepdale after a strong first quarter of the season on a personal level.

Furthermore, Brady is no stranger to the international stage either. Over 50 senior caps, representing his country at the European Championships, becoming the under 21’s highest scorer of all time before claiming a goal and two assists on his senior debut again Oman, Brady’s CV is one of the most impressive in England’s second tier.

But his return to the starting XI could’ve possibly been more plane-sailing, yet it’s likely he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Ireland took an early lead as John Egan rose highest from a Brady corner to open the scoring before Swansea’s Michael Obafemi struck from 25-yards to double the Irish advantage.

But the Armenian side struck back with two goals in the space of three minutes levelling the scores, both efforts coming from distance to shock the Aviva stadium.

Defeat would’ve relegated the Irish and with Scotland topping the group, relegation could’ve felt even worse. But as Armenia were reduced to nine men, Ireland were awarded a penalty for handball to which Brady calmly stepped up and slotted home, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way in the process.

Whilst Brady has put in some excellent performances so far this season, he’s not got the assists or goals to back up his performances in what has been a struggling Preston side so far this campaign.

However, coming back from the international pause full of confidence, can Brady have the type of inspiration in Lancashire as he did in Dublin as he dragged his nation to safety from relegation and gave the Irish fans a night to remember on his return to the side?

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