Ireland friendlies in May are usually crap affairs where nothing happens and everybody wonders why they bothered, but when we've got a tournament to look forward it's an entirely different occasion.
The boys in green got a good send off and rewarded the fans for turning out with a confident performance despite ending up with a draw against Holland.
Martin O'Neill picked a somewhat experimental team featuring the likes of David McGoldrick, Stephen Quinn, and Shane Duffy, but a strong first half showing was followed by a comfortable second 45 with one lapse in concentration meaning it ended 1-1.
Here is how we rated Ireland's players on Friday night.
Darren Randolph - 6
Didn't have too much to do, and will have been disappointed for the Dutch goal. We know Darren is going to be #1 in France and we're happy with it. Slightly worried about looping balls into the box, but he's the best we've got.
Seamus Coleman - 7
While it's not exactly something to write home about these days, he didn't give Memphis Depay a sniff. Strong showing from Killybegs' finest.
John O'Shea - 7
Played a huge part in the goal, and was as solid as ever at the back. Thankfully he's twice the player for Ireland than for Sunderland, we're not worried about John in France.
Shane Duffy - 6
Looked to be another seriously promising performance from Blackburn's (maybe not for long) Shane Duffy. Aside from being strong in the air and a tough tackler, he looks like a real leader and isn't afraid to give someone a bollocking for being out of position.
However, criminal marking for the Dutch goal saw his rating take a knock.
Robbie Brady - 8
There are question marks over whether or not Robbie Brady should start at left-back for Ireland at Euro 2016, but it's clear he's the best option there this summer. What he lacks in positional sense and defensive instincts he more than makes up for with his delivery from set-pieces and his pace on that left flank. Ireland will need width, and he can provide it.
Glenn Whelan - 8
If you didn't rate Glenjamin Whelan's performance tonight, then you're just going to have to accept that you are blind to his value as a holding midfielder.
He's going to need to be on it in France, but if tonight was anything to go by then we needn't worry, as Glenn shepherded the Dutch midfield out of danger like the wise man he is.
Harry Arter - 8
Seat on the plane booked.
Arter is a lovely footballer. It's rare that an Irish midfielder plays the game with his head up and always looking forward, but Arter is just that and with Glenn behind him he was allowed to express himself against the Dutch.
Always showing for the ball, always active, we wouldn't be upset to see him start against Sweden.
Stephen Quinn - 6
You know what you're going to get from Quinn. He's like a Yorkshire terrier in his pursuit of the ball, but when he has it, much like a yorkshire terrier, you get the feeling he is just waiting to chase it again.
Put himself about, but he's down the pecking order for midfield options.
David McGoldrick - 6
A solid performance on a night when he needed a great one.
McGoldrick is a good player, but he doesn't really fit in this Irish side, mainly because he doesn't run around like a madman and we require that from our forwards.
Jon Walters - 6
Another shift full of knockdowns, channel running, and being an absolute nuisance any time the ball goes into the box, but Big Jon was a little quiet tonight.
He's just conserving energy to unleash on the Swedes.
Shane Long - 8
Consistency is the one thing that Shane Long has added to his game over the last 12 months, and it's hard to argue against him being our most important player right now.
Another strong performance capped with a goal, we're excited about what he can do with the world watching.
Keith Andrews - 10
What a POSITIVE and overall CHARMING performance by Andrews in Setanta's co-commentary spot. He may overdo the adjectives sometimes but he made us smile tonight. Keep it up Keitho.
Keith Andrews is SUCH an enthusiastic co-commentator.
REALLY refreshing to hear GOOD things about the Ireland players on show. #IRLNED— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 27, 2016
All in all, a shame that the send-off ended in a draw, and it's clear that set-pieces are going to be huge for us in France, but nobody got injured and if you offered us that before kick-off we would have taken it.
