Alan Browne made his first competitive start for Republic of Ireland on Tuesday night, in their Euro 2020 qualifier against Switzerland.
Browne was a second half substitute for their 0-0 draw with Georgia on Saturday afternoon, but was giving a starting berth in Geneva with qualification up for grabs for Mick McCarthy's side, and played the full 90 minutes on the night.
It wasn't to be on the night for the boys in green with a 2-0 defeat, with the hosts sealing the win in the final minute of added time with their second of the game.
Switzerland took the lead after just quarter of an hour, but the visitors were down to ten men in the second half after Seamus Coleman was shown a second yellow card on 76 minutes as he conceded a penalty to give the hosts an opportunity to double their lead.
Darren Randolph stepped up to save the spot kick with Browne clearing the ball to avoid the follow up. Ireland pressed for an equaliser with the North End midfielder featuring heavily down the right but they were caught on the break as the hosts sealed the win in the final moments of the game.
The defeat was Ireland's first since Mick McCarthy returned as manager, with their final group game against Denmark in Dublin in November now crucial as they look to secure a place at next year's European Championships. A win in Dublin next month would seal their place at Euro 2020.
Sean Maguire was an unused substitute in the game and both he and Browne will now return to Springfields as the focus switches back to club football with a trip to Reading on Saturday afternoon.