Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley says match-winner Graham Burke should be targeting a return to the Irish squad after the Hoops' long-awaited 1-0 win over Bohemians in Tallaght Stadium tonight.
25-year old Burke, back at Rovers after frustrating spells at Preston North End and on loan at Gillingham, scored the only goal as Stephen Bradley's team got the better of their city rivals for the first time since May 2017.
A record crowd for a league game in Tallaght Stadium witnessed Rovers end their losing run in the fixture and Bradley was quick to mention the attendance.
"You have to mention the crowd. Over 7,000. It's unbelievable. We asked them to come out in their numbers and they did," the Shamrock Rovers boss told RTÉ Sport soccer correspondent Tony O'Donoghue.
"When you consider the last few results (against Bohemians) haven't gone our way, tonight was big.
"I think the players responded. First half, they were outstanding. In the second half, I felt the schedule caught up with them. They looked tired and leggy but they showed tremendous character and togetherness to see it through.
"I felt the schedule would catch us at some point. We saw that in the second half. Five games in 15 days. It's heavy. We've done a lot of travelling.
"It was always going to come, the slump and we saw it in the second half."
For Burke, it was his second goal in a week after his winner against Waterford on Tuesday, but he also showcased his defensive work, clearing the ball off the line as Bohemians came roaring into the contest in the second period.
Bradley paid tribute to his striker's workrate and stressed that he should now be thinking about breaking back into the national team, having scored his only international goal in a friendly against USA in June 2018.
"That's the great thing about Graham. He scores goals. When he left here, he had 15. He would have been top scorer in the league. But he also buys into everything else. He's a team player, he wants to defend, he wants to work hard. He's a proper professional.
"That (International football) has to be the aim for Graham. He's been there, he's done it. Now, he's reset here. He's come back, he's happy. You can see he's enjoying his football again, he's enjoying his life again. And that has to be the aim for Graham, to get back in the national side."
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy was in attendance, having already selected Jack Byrne in his squad for the upcoming qualifier against Switzerland.
Byrne's club manager backed him to show his worth in the international set-up.
"Jack will go and show everyone how good a player he is. He's in there for a reason. Mick has picked him in merit. I know Jack will go in and respond in the right manner. He'll work and show everyone he's a good footballer."
