Pre-tournament friendlies are a chance for managers to get one final look at their players before departing for the big show, and with Martin O'Neill having a number of headaches around the squad in terms of who to take and who to leave when it comes to designating the seats on the plane to France, tonight could be a very important game for a number of players.
One player who tonight will be very important for, albeit not because he is trying to break into Ireland's 23 man squad for Euro 2016, is Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rodgers.
Gary Rogers on the bench for Ireland tonight. Be nice to see him brought on in recognition for a fine career at top level of Irish football.
— Ronan O'Flaherty (@ronanoflaherty) May 27, 2016
Having impressed Martin O'Neill in training all week, Rodgers has been named on the bench for tonight's friendly with Holland as Shay Given is not quite fit enough, and should he be given a run out like we are expecting he will, he will end a bizarre stat that has been running since Irish football records began.
Gary Rodgers will be the first ever man from Meath to become an Irish international should he be introduced at the Aviva Stadium tonight. Previously, Meath had never had a single full international, but that will end if O'Neill decides to give Rodgers the run out that he deserves.
A fantastic servant to the League of Ireland, it would be great to see Gary Rodgers make his debut, although perhaps not if you are from one of the four counties that would remain having never had someone represent the boys in green.
Taking Meath out of the discussion would leave Offaly, Carlow, Tyrone, and Leitrim as the only counties never to have had an Irish international. Meath was the most curious in terms of the lack of international representation, but now it's touch-and-go between Offaly and Carlow as to who takes up that title.
We had speculated recently that Aston Villa's Kevin Toner was likely to be the first Meath man to make the jump, or possibly Darragh Lenihan of Blackburn, but no, it seems that a 34 year-old goalkeeper has come from out of nowhere to claim the crown. And fair play to him for doing so.
There are a lot of happy Dundalk fans eager to see Rodgers tonight, so let's hope he makes an appearance.
Gary Rogers on the bench for Ireland tonight. Be nice to see him brought on in recognition for a fine career at top level of Irish football.
— Ronan O'Flaherty (@ronanoflaherty) May 27, 2016
@gaz1garyrogers is on the bench for Ireland tonight. Thrilled for him and all at Dundalk FC. So proud right now ⚽️
— CallantotheCiaran (@ciarancallan) May 27, 2016
so proud of @gaz1garyrogers having the opportunity to be on the bench for Ireland tonight #greatness #theresonlyonegaryrogers #dundalkfc
— C I A R A A A ! ✪✌ (@CiaraLennon__) May 27, 2016
Boss Gary Rodgers is on the bench tonight. Quality keeper.
— Richie Kavanagh (@richiekav) May 27, 2016
You can check out the last Irish international from every county below.
