All of a sudden it feels like whatever hope Ireland has in the fast approaching Euro 2024 qualifiers rests on the shoulders of an 18-year-old from Bettystown.
Or rather, it feels like the exhilarating rise of Evan Ferguson this season has provided more than a flicker of hope when there was barely none when the draw was made.
There are not that many teenagers who get standing ovations when their work is done but Ferguson's shift in the friendly against Latvia shone a light on what this all-action striker is all about.
A month shy of 25 years since Robbie Keane's full home debut for his country, the Irish football public got their first proper look at the young lad already being billed as his successor. They liked what they saw.
Ferguson just wants to get on the ball all the time and, if he gets the right service, Monday night at the Aviva Stadium could yet be something special.
The flip side is that he will be facing France's defenders, not Latvians. A whole new ball game awaits. But Ferguson has shown a real appetite for the big occasion so far at club level. He just looks like a natural, that nothing really fazes him.
Whether it was the lightning fast turn and pass out wide to Matt Doherty as part of a slick move for Callum O'Dowda's goal, or his part in the move that almost led to Matt Doherty restoring Ireland's lead before Chiedozie Ogbene managed to do so, the Brighton front man makes things happen.
He also capped his full debut at home with a goal in the 17th minute, a real poacher's effort from the edge of the six yard box when he pounced on Michael Obafemi's clever pull-back on the byline.
After cameo appearances against Norway and Malta in November, it's no bad thing that Ferguson got 73 minutes last night - and is quickly off the mark at international level.
The only slight concern came was the sight of the former St Kevin's Boys and Bohemians starlet limping slightly after his boot caught a Latvian defender's leg with a shot follow-through.
That he stayed on for another 20 minutes suggests he'll be fine for the visit of the French.
That it took Ogbene's goal to secure victory after Ireland had cruised to an early two goal lead was not pleasant viewing, especially in the prism of what's to come in a few days time.
As a bonus, however, the displays of Will Smallbone and Mikey Johnson augur well.
Stephen Kenny has experienced players to come back in for the first qualifier who didn't see action here, but the two debutants were creative and dangerous and could provide a spark when the time comes.
