Jimmy Dunne's long journey to a Republic of Ireland cap may be about to reach it's destination

Louth native Dunne even met Michael O’Neill when the pair lived in Edinburgh seven years ago but it came to nothing.

In fact, O’Neill jokingly demanded free coffee from the defender after his namesake Martin surprisingly parachuted him into his senior squad for the final two matches of his era.

It transpired to be more a game of shadow-boxing than tug-of-war as Dunne remained off-broadway at club level and ultimately uncapped.

Heimir Hallgrímsson, though, spotted something when he watched the Queen’s Park Rangers defender in action against Sheffield United to table a call-up.

That debut, seemingly so elusive earlier in the career of the former Manchester trainee, could be within touching distance at 27 over these two legs of the Uefa Nations League playoff against Bulgaria.

“In Dundalk, I don't think you can consider it too much,” he revealed about the dilemma he faced over the northern interest, before delivering a dollop of dark humour.

"My granny is from Enniskillen, just over the border, so it's been an option but, to be honest, I don't want to go missing or anything.”

It was a one-liner which drew laughter from the assembled press on his maiden conference duties but he’s deadly serious about his ambitions.

Dunne’s head was scrambled by seeing several defenders overlap him in the race for international recognition – Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea and Andrew Omobamidele among them.

Jake O’Brien has been added to that pack of options in that area but Dunne’s consistent performances in the Championship over the past two seasons elevate him into demand.

He’s got rival clubs circling, aware of his contract expiring in May. Many of his competitors were granted their debuts by charting a career course different to his.

He shared the Manchester United dressing-room with peers like Marcus Rashford at a time the club were winning Premier League titles but was soon exposed to the realities beyond the goldfish bowl.

“My career has been an emotional roller-coaster,” he surmises.

“I got released by United at 18 and 12 months later I was playing Conference Premier football so it was one extreme to the other.

“I felt I’d a lot of catching up to do but think I am where I deserve and should be at this stage in my career.

“The older I get, I'll continue to strive and strive for the Premier League. And, if it’s late, it’s late, but hopefully I will get there.”

Dunne cites a player in the position he craved at United as a template for his late developer path.

“Harry Maguire, for example, was 24 before he made his England debut,” he noted.

“So, I’m looking for the positives as much as I can and now that I’m in I’m going to try to utilise my opportunity. From speaking to the manager after a game, he seems to value character and I can bring that.

“You'd like to think that as a defender I’ve got an extended couple of years on some of the guys. Hopefully I'm one of those that can go until I'm 40.

“It does feel quite late because the first time I was in under Martin O'Neill I was 21 years old and that feels like a lifetime ago at this stage.”

His streak of determination was instilled by his father Eamonn, who sadly passed away just days before Dunne scored in the December win over Norwich City.

“My father’s story was a story of resilience as well,” he outlined.

“From being struck by a car as a kid, he actually wore shinpads playing for Louth’s GAA team. He was probably the only GAA player to ever wear shinpads.

“I think that GAA culture is something that sticks to a lot of the soccer lads as well while they're coming through. I’m very, very proud of that.”

As his Dad would of his son, regardless of whether the years of toiling for that cap reaches a satisfactory outcome.