The day has finally arrived. Kind of.
No, not Ireland's date with Bosnia and destiny, but a man who experienced many such dates finally leaving the professional game in his rear-view, or so it seems.
Speaking in tonight's match programme, Richard Dunne revealed that he has no genuine aspirations to find a new club, and might well stick to a few kick-abouts with the lads instead as he rides off into the footballing sunset.
Indeed, a different sunset may have influenced his decision to call time on a 18-year career; Dunne, now living in France with his wife and children, said:
It's just life. I don't play for a team at the moment and don't have any plans in the future to do it - it's just the way it is.
The big man from Tallaght retired from international football in the summer of 2014, and was released by QPR when his contract expired this May.
Dunne was thought to be exploring options in MLS and even as far afield as India - although the Mirror did report that the 36-year-old had decided to bring down the Iron Curtain on a tremendous career.
Those reports now seem to have been confirmed by Dunne himself, who said:
I still play five-a-side and seven-a-side over here, that's what I do. Myself and the family are enjoying life and taking it easy.
The kids are in school here, so we just need Ireland to qualify and we'll be already here for the Euros, which would be handy.
What an absolutely class man.
If it is to be the end of the road for one of Ireland's most iconic defenders, dear Richard, we thank you for Lisbon in 2000. We thank you for keeping Kluivert and Van Nistelrooy in check in 2001. We thank you for Paris in '09, even if it ended in tears.
...And there was one other game wasn't there?
