Robbie Brady found himself in a familiar position last night, trying to prove himself all over again.
The hero of Lille was on a mission to show Mick McCarthy that, having been handed the captain's armband for only the second time at international level, he deserves to start in the game that matters on Monday.
In a friendly that had most eyes cast on the performances of young guns Troy Parrott, Jack Byrne et al, McCarthy would have focused on the performance of the 27-year-old making his 44th appearance in green.
The Ireland boss would have liked most of what he saw, despite the limited nature of the opposition.
But McCarthy has a decision to make now and, somewhat ironically, the fact that Brady played for the full 93 minutes suggests if he is to be involved on Monday, it will be a bench role.
Starting twice in four days would be asking a lot for a player just back to full fitness after a long struggle with injuries.
However, getting the right man on the right side of his forward trio has proved to be a difficult task during McCarthy's second stint in charge, and he has tried out a number of candidates there.
It is a selection that the manager must get right against Denmark in three days time.
It is 27 months since Brady headed Ireland into the second round of the Euro 2016 finals - his goal against Italy instantly earning him iconic status at home.
Half a year later he completed a deadline day move to Burnley worth £13m to Norwich City.
But in December 2017, following a collision with Harry Maguire, he was told by a surgeon that it would take two years for him to be fully fit again.
Speaking this week, Brady admitted that he had to learn a new trait - patience - as he worked his way back.
Much to his disbelief it has taken him two years to fully recover from the knee injury, such was the gravity of it.
Brady also admitted that, after he didn't fulfil his potential as a teenager at Manchester United, he had to go about proving his worth in England.
Having gone on to do so at Norwich, the Dubliner is striving to do so again at Burnley. An injury-free run now will help his cause.
A recent rib injury brought a brief half to his progress - and caused him to miss the away qualifiers in Georgia and Switzerland last month.
McCarthy has been clear that he is only going to select fully fit players. With that in mind, Brady's 93 minute shift against New Zealand was most welcome.
Brady looked more like his old self last night. There were some decent early touches, including a clever flick inside on the right touchline to get away from his marker in the 17th minute.
But it wasn't until the All Whites took the lead on the half hour that he came alive.
Perhaps Brady felt he could have done better when Elijah Just raced down the left for the visitors, leaving the Irish captain in his wake, before crossing for Liberato Cacace to open the scoring - though the positioning of debutant Lee O'Connor was also questionable.
Brady did seem to take the concession personally.
A great cross into Sean Maguire was headed just wide and, having won back possession in the 43rd minute, he released Maguire again. But the Preston striker's first Ireland goal would come later.r the equaliser.
Brady underlined his versatility just before the break, switching to his left foot to deliver the out-swinging corner that Derrick Williams headed home for his first international goal.
And, in the 54th minute, Brady almost grabbed his ninth Ireland goal when a sweet left-foot strike clipped the crossbar and went over.
It was Maguire and Callum Robinson, who could also fill that right-sided role for McCarthy, who clinched the victory, and both will be in the selection equation for Monday.
Overall Brady can be pleased with his return to this stage - but realistically it may not be enough for central involvement against the Danes.
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