It could have been Roy rather than Trap leading us for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Post the Steve Staunton era - Don Howe, Don Givens and Ray Hougton were tasked with finding Ireland's next manager.
Quoted in the match programme for Sunday's game between Ireland and England at the Aviva, Howe explained how close Hodgson came to becoming manager of the Boys in Green.
Roy was close, very close, to taking charge of Ireland.
I said from the start then that he was the man we needed. Roy is someone I've known for years.
He knows all about management and coaching at the highest level, he knows what is needed for tournament football and he was the ideal fit.
I arranged a meeting between Roy, myself and the others working for the FAI.
Everything seemed to be on target but just as it looked like it was all coming together, Fulham came in and snapped him up.
I couldn't blame them or Roy - it was a great opportunity for him and it was a huge success for both manager and club.
Hodgson took over as Fulham manager in late December 2007 following the sacking of Lawrie Sanchez. He helped them to avoid relegation that season and would lead them to seventh and twelfth in the following seasons. Under Hodgson they also made the Europa League final in 2010 where they lost to Atletico Madrid.
via RTE.ie
Picture credit: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE
