Alan Browne featured for the first time since the beginning of April on Monday evening as Republic of Ireland came out 3-0 winners against Gibraltar.
The North End skipper, who missed the final stages of the season with a knee injury, was an unused substitute for his nation’s EURO qualifier defeat to Greece at the end of last week.
However, he came off the bench in the 72nd minute at the Aviva Stadium against Gibraltar to earn his 30th cap for Republic of Ireland and help his side secure their first victory of the qualification campaign for next year’s EUROs.
Elsewhere, Ali McCann has started twice for Northern Ireland during the past week, but they have suffered two blows to their qualification chances.
Last Friday, they were beaten 1-0 at the home of Denmark, despite thinking they had earned a late point, only for Callum Marshall’s stoppage-time equaliser to be chalked off by VAR for an offside.
Michael O’Neill’s side then returned home to take on Kazakhstan and, despite seeing most of the ball on the night, the visitors took all three points thanks to Abat Aimbetov’s impressive solo goal in the 88th minute.
James Pradic was also on international duty, for Wales U19’s two friendlies against Sweden U19 at Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff.
The goalkeeper came off the bench at half-time in the first match of the double header which resulted in a 1-0 defeat, with Pradic being beaten from the penalty spot.
He was then an unused substitute in a competitive 2-2 draw against the same side a couple of days later.