Whatever way you look at it, June 2022 was a pivotal month in the career of Darragh Lenihan.
Four years on from his second international cap, the commanding centre-half made his first competitive Republic of Ireland start in the 1-1 Nations League draw against Ukraine, a game lit up by defensive partner Nathan Collins' sensational solo goal.
A week later, after a decade’s service to Blackburn Rovers, he made the decision to join Championship rivals Middlesborough.
With more than 200 appearances to his name and entrusted with the captain’s armband, the decision to reject a contract extension wasn’t one he took lightly.
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But with two wins in their opening 11 league games, Chris Wilder was dismissed, replaced by Michael Carrick.
Having established himself during Tony Mowbray’s five-year stint in charge at Ewood Park, it has been a time of great change for the 28-year-old.
"I had a manager for five years [Mowbray], and now had three managers within four or five months," he told RTÉ Sport ahead of Thursday’s international friendly against Norway.
"It’s been a good challenge, one I will look back on that I think will test me as a person."
He has been impressed by Carrick’s "detailed" training sessions and is hopeful that Boro – with one defeat in the last five – can move further up the table from their current position of 14th.
A red card on his second outing with the Teesiders wasn't the ideal start, but he's been a regular at the heart of the defence, playing in 17 of their 21 league games.
Based on what he saw last year in the Championship, the Meath man feels top-flight football is a realistic aim.
"As a young kid, you want to play in the Premier League. You look at Nottingham Forest last year. I don’t know when they were bottom of the league, and they got promoted in the play-offs.
"Hopefully we can be up there come the end of the season."
The focus now is the international double header, with a Norway side minus the service of Erling Haaland visiting on Thursday before Stephen Kenny’s side round off 2022 with a visit to Malta on the Sunday.
With the likes of John Egan, Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins and Shane Duffy ahead in the queue for centre-half, Lenihan knows any opportunity must be seized.
The performance in Lodz against Ukraine was one of composure, but if he’s frustrated at finding caps so hard to come by, he’s not inclined to voice it.
"No, not really because you need to think of the whole, rather than just yourself. All you guys want the best for the country, and so do I.
"Whether that’s putting out the best players, and I’m in it [starting team] or not in it, I don’t really mind as long as the team wins."
A tactical flexibility is something that will appeal to Kenny as he looks at personnel and possible formation alterations in the season ending fixtures.
Equally comfortable in a back three – Wilder’s preferred defensive shape at the start of the season – or a flat back four – Carrick's current preference – Leinhan is primarily concerned with getting more out of himself at international level.
"It’s always a proud moment to play for your country. I have only played three times, hopefully I can get a few more caps.
"If I play Thursday, hopefully I can put in a good performance."
Watch the Republic of Ireland v Norway live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player on Thursday from 7pm with live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra and follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app
