Republic of Ireland debut 'a long time coming' for Dunne

BBC News

23-03-2025

Republic of Ireland defender Jimmy Dunne said his debut for his country "feels like a long time coming".The Dundalk native won his first international cap as he came off the bench to help Republic of Ireland pick up a 2-1 win against Bulgaria at home in their Nations League B play-off and a 4-2 agrregate victory.The 27-year-old was delighted to finally make his international bow after first entering the Irish senior set-up in 2018 and having previously rejected the chance to declare for Northern Ireland."I'm not embarrassed to admit that it is one of the proudest moments of my life, my mum and family were there so I'm incredibly proud," he told BBC Sport NI."Days like today make me realise that I'm glad nothing has changed [in switching international allegiances], and I stuck with it. I'm 27 now but hopefully I have a long career and there is plenty more chances to play for my country."Sometimes I had to park it in the back of my mind [playing for the Republic of Ireland], but I've known I've always really wanted to do it. It's a marker but I want to kick on."The Queen's Park Rangers defender praised Irish boss Heimir Hallgrimsson for giving him his debut in the promotion/relegation play-off second leg and for the advice the Icelandic coach has given him during this camp."There was a lot at stake tonight so it could have been very easy for the manager to stick to what he knows but he has put a lot of trust in me, and he has guided me," Dunne added. The defender believes that the Republic are moving in the right direction ahead of the World Cup qualifiers starting in September."I haven't been part of this group previously and there has been a lot of criticism, but I don't think there has been any hangover from the England game [in November], we are really together, and we really believe, so there is no reason why these lads can't kick on and do wonderful things."