Greg Cunningham admits his Ireland call-up was a ‘nice pick me up’ after a difficult season with relegated Cardiff City.
Since his first call-up under Giovanni Trapattoni in 2010, the fullback has won just four caps - although injuries played a part - and the last of those was six years ago.
Cunningham hasn’t been involved with Ireland since the friendlies against France and USA last summer under Martin O’Neill, when he was an unused sub.
And without a first-team club appearances since January, he wasn’t expecting to be involved in the Irish team’s week-long training camp in Portugal.
But a December phone call from Mick McCarthy gave Cunningham a lift.
And now he’s hoping to survive the cull when McCarthy knocks his squad down to size for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar.
“I'm delighted with the call-up and it's a good opportunity to be around the new gaffer and make a good impression,” he said.
“My first game was 2010 (against Algeria) so it's been stop start but that’s how football goes sometimes.
“A few injuries stopped me in my tracks but you have to stay mentally strong, do your work and make sure you come back stronger for it.
“I'm only 28 and my best years are ahead of me. It's about being consistent, getting back into games at club level and going from there.
“After such a frustrating season at club level, I wasn’t sure I’d be in. It was a nice pick me up after the disappointing season. It's now up to me to make a good impression."
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