The football gods are often fickle and cruel.
In December 2019 Andrew Omobamidele was one of the most impressive young defenders in the Premier League. He was 19, and had just scored his first top-flight goal for Norwich City in the 2-1 defeat to Leeds United.
He'd also made a rip-roaring start to his senior Republic of Ireland career, coming off the bench in Portugal to deliver an incredibly assured debut before following that up with another excellent display against Serbia.
And then, just a couple of weeks before Christmas, he suffered a back injury that would completely derail his momentum. The Leixlip native spent six months wearing a brace doing very little as he patiently rehabbed.
A subsequent ankle problem further disrupted his progress for club and country, but Omobamidele is fit and healthy now, and in the frame to feature in the friendly against Latvia on Wednesday before France come to Dublin for a blockbuster Euro 2024 qualifier the following Monday night.
Heady times indeed, but Omobamidele is not taking anything for granted.
"That was the first time in my whole career that I was out for more than a month."
"It was difficult," he said after linking up with the Ireland squad at the FAI's HQ in Abbotstown.
"I kind of came onto the scene quickly at Norwich and on the international stage, obviously my debut against Portugal and coming back here and playing against Serbia and Azerbaijan and these teams.
"I got a stress fracture in my back and that kept me out for six to seven months. Going from all of those highs in two weeks to the lows where I couldn't do anything... I just had to naturally rest.
"It was tough but happily that's behind me. I've no problems with my back."
After such a serious injury, there was understandable trepidation when Omobamidele made his return to action in the summer of 2022. A pre-season outing against non-league opposition was the first crucial tester.
"That was the first time in my whole career that I was out for more than a month," Omobamidele reflects.
"Six months is a long time. I had to ease myself back in and I was a bit anxious because you do everything with your back but I got a lot of confidence from those first few weeks when I got no pain.
"I think we played King's Lynn away in a friendly. I was starting that game and I was proper nervous. I was going over it in my head, 'what's going to happen with my back?', and stuff like that. I think it was just a couple of passes and stuff you take for granted when you're playing football, stepping up with the line, being with your back four. After I just kind of forgot about it.
"I remember coming in with the boys at half-time and they were saying, 'how's your back?'. And I was like, 'it's gone, I don't feel it'. That was probably the moment."
Omobamidele is part of a generation of talented central defenders that have broken through during Stephen Kenny's reign. Nathan Collins and Dara O'Shea have proven they can cope against elite international opposition, while goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Caoimhin Kelleher are also operating at the top end of the game.
Next week brings an incredibly tough challenge as beaten World Cup finalists France rock up to Dublin spearheaded by superstar Kylian Mbappe and a cast of excellent footballers plying their trade at Europe's biggest clubs.
But Omobamidele is not daunted. If anything his injury struggles mean he'll appreciate the challenge even more.
"I'd be happy," he said when asked how he'd react if he had to mark Mbappe.
"I'd embrace it. After the game you are walking off knowing where you are as a player, because that is the ultimate test for any defender in the world.
"It's a massive privilege to play for Ireland so if I can be involved in any of the games that would be great
"I think everyone agrees that Mbappe is a good player, he is quick, and I’d like to think I’m quick as well, so I’d love to do a foot race or something like that, see how quick I am!
"When the draw came out, obviously when we saw the teams in there, I was more excited than anything. It’s perfect to test yourself personally and as a team against these top nations. I am more just excited to see how it’s going to go."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Latvia in an international friendly on Wednesday from 7pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra
Watch Republic of Ireland v France in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday from 7pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on 2fm's Game On
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
