Alan Browne had been a constant in the Ireland squad for seven years, so to endure an absence of 18 months explained his caution about a recall. Browne hadn’t heard directly from Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson since a brief November chat. PROMOTION PUSH: Alan Browne celebrates scoring for Middlesbrough against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. Both deciders ended in anguish, rationalising why Browne considers his Ireland career, up at 37 caps, as disappointing. He was Preston North captain when his compatriot arrived as a fresh-faced 20-year-old on loan, a stopover on a journey to national hero status four years later.

Source: Irish Examiner March 23, 2026 08:05 UTC