Back in 1958, a young Dubliner, Eric O'Toole, left his home in the port town of Dún Laoghaire and set sail for a new life in the United States of America.
A couple of generations later, not one, but two members of the O'Toole clan have returned to these shores, football boots in tow.
First grand-daughter Jillian signed for Limerick side Treaty United, playing in the Women’s Premier Division in the League of Ireland, and now sibling Kevin has come back to wear the green jersey of the national team.
O’Toole, a surprise pick in the current Republic of Ireland squad for this week’s double-header against Portugal and Hungary, has been on the manager’s radar for some time.
And now with international clearance sorted, Heimir Hallgrimsson has brought the left-sided New York City man into his squad for the decisive final games of the campaign against Portugal on Thursday and Hungary in Budapest on Sunday.
"It's just the situation we have," said the Ireland manager last week, when asked of the logic behind introducing a new player at such an important stage of the campaign.
"We are lacking depth in this position. I have watched Kevin O'Toole play. I know he is a good player. He has been playing and starting all games for New York City FC for about three seasons now. He’s experienced, he is 26. It's not like he is a young player we are testing. He has quality. It's just the situation."
O’Toole arrived into Dublin over the weekend and was straight into his first training session on Monday, and while the player acknowledges his arrival at such a juncture is perhaps unconventional, he is ready and willing to hit the ground running.
"I'm elated at the call-up," said O’Toole, speaking to the media after his first training session.
"I've been in discussion with the head coach for about a year now, and it was just a matter of getting the all the paperwork done and sorted. And now I'm absolutely ecstatic to be here, and it is just pleasant to be in with the group and to meet all the guys and get acquainted with everyone.
"Obviously, it's not super traditional integrating a new player at this point in a qualification campaign, and I'm aware of that.
"But the coaching staff have been super supportive in bringing me on board really quickly. And the guys in the squad have been unbelievable as well in supporting me and welcoming me into the group. And so, I think just leaning on their experience and kind of absorbing as much as I can is the best I can do to be prepared."
Such is the dearth of left-sided options, Hallgrimsson is evidently ready to utilise O'Toole in the absence of Ryan Manning, Robbie Brady and Callum O’Dowda, and the new man is ready to seize his opportunity if called upon.
"It's obviously a very exciting time to be called in. And I recognise the importance of these two matches that we have coming up," said O’Toole.
"And I don't take it lightly for sure. Obviously, there have been injuries in the group, especially in the position that I play. You know, Robbie Brady and Calum O'Dowda and with Ryan being on the yellow card suspension.
"So I understand that my moment might come sooner than a lot expect. And [I’m] just trying to be as focused as I can over these next few days to prepare myself for that that opportunity."
Hallgrimsson was familiar with O’Toole’s game before taking the Ireland job having scouted the MLS extensively while manager of the Jamaica national team, and the Icelander used those connections to organise an introduction thanks to New York team-mate Tayvon Gray.
"I think some of the qualities I bring are [having] a big engine box to box as a wing-back," said O’Toole, when asked about what attributes he could bring into the Ireland squad.
"I can go 1v1 on the dribble and get back and defend as well. So I think being box-to-box and having a good engine is maybe one of my biggest qualities."
O’Toole has spoken before about playing international football, stating that it would be an honour to represent either Ireland or the USA, and whether playing or not, family members will be in Aviva Stadium to share his big day.
"This was always a dream of mine to represent this country and to do it for my grandfather," he said.
"That's a sentiment that I've tried to keep with me and hold very close to my heart. I've been thinking about him a lot since the call-up and just feel like he's been doing a service from above for me to get me this opportunity.
"My dad is super proud, my mom is super proud, and I just want to do a job for them because they've invested so much in my career process.
"And my fiancée will be making the trip out, my sister will be coming back as well because her season just ended a couple of weeks back, and my aunt will be making the trip out too."
It’s almost ten years since Ireland have qualified for a major tournament, and it is no surprise that Euro 2016 is the one that made most impact on a young O’Toole looking on from afar in his teenage years. And should he complete the fairytale with a dream debut goal, there may even be time for a poorly executed forward roll, bow and arrow combo celebration.
"I think Robbie Brady's goal in 2016 Euros against Italy is a big one," he said, when asked about his favourite memories of watching Ireland matches growing up.
"And all the Robbie Keane celebrations are always a favourite. I love watching those highlights."
Watch Republic of Ireland v Portugal in World Cup qualifying on Thursday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
