For much of last season, Chiedozie Ogbene was sidelined with a knee injury but a year on, the Republic of Ireland winger is revelling in a player of the match performance as Stephen Kenny's side ended the World Cup qualifying campaign on a high.
Ogbene scored his second international goal in just his fifth cap as Ireland won 3-0 in Luxembourg, capping a fine individual performance with a strike from Jason Knight's cut-back with 15 minutes to go in the Grand Duchy.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport at full-time, the Rotherham United player was quick to praise team-mate Knight for his impact as a super sub.
"I'm delighted to score again but I owe it to the team," he said.
"We came here and got a 3-0 win. To keep a clean sheet as well away from home against a strong team. The game plan worked out well and everyone dug deep.
"I'm just happy to get the goal. Obviously Knighty spotted me and squared it back. Credit to him because he came on and he changed the game for us. He accelerated the game but it came from the back line and the goalkeeper to start the build-up of the play and just to keep a clean sheet and get three goals away from home is incredible."
The 24-year-old also praised the away supporters who were able to make the trip to Luxembourg and touched on the meteoric rise he has enjoyed at international level after his injury hell last season.
"This time last year, I was actually in a knee brace because I suffered a meniscus injury and I worked so hard to be here, sacrificed a lot, and as I said before Stephen Kenny picked me to get me into the position that I am. Credit to him and I owe a lot to him."
Ogbene, who became the first African-born player to represent Ireland at senior level when he made his debut as a substitute in Hungary this summer, added: "Good things are happening to me right now. I do believe in my own ability, the same way the coaches believe in me.
"I didn't expect to be scoring goals, I just wanted to be the best for the team, to give my all, all my effort and I am happy to be getting goals for my effort.
"I am really enjoying myself. In 12 months, my career has really taken a drastic change. To experience football at this high level, it’s a joyful one for me. I am happy to be doing well for my country.
"We sacrifice so much. We know we had a tough patch, now we are reaping the rewards of our hard work. I am just really happy to be part of it and I am looking forward to the future."
