Michael Obafemi's confidence to not only shoot from 30 yards out but score a world-class goal showed what is to come in Ireland's future, according to League of Ireland legend Stuey Byrne.
Republic of Ireland earned their first ever win in the UEFA Nations League in emphatic style, with a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Saturday.
Goals to Alan Browne, Troy Parrott and player of the match Obafemi would seal the win in front of a packed Aviva stadium.
๐ช๐๐๐ง. ๐. ๐ฆ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐! ๐๐ฅ
๐ฎ๐ช Michael Obafemi sends the Aviva Stadium wild as @FAIreland go 3-0 up against Scotland!
An incredible way to score his first international goal!#IRLSCO pic.twitter.com/o3RKJ2XVEmโ Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 11, 2022
Obafemi in particular put on an excellent display, not only for his exceptional 30-yard goal, but also setting up Parrott's goal with a brilliant chip over the defensive line.
It was a performance by the pair up front that got Byrne very excited for what the future holds.
Speaking after performing commentary duties forย Off The Ball, Byrne reacted to what Nathan Murphy described as the best ever goal to be scored in the Aviva Stadium.
"To see it in live-action was stunning," Byrne said. "We got a wonderful view of it. The sheer pace of it! It came out of nowhere, because he had such a short back lift.
"He didn't look like he was going to strike it. The ball was quite close to his feet. It was one of them where you thought he was going to take a touch and move it."
'The benefit of youth'
For Byrne, the benefit of both Parrott and Obafemi being under 23 means that they are brave enough to try new things.
Aside from still having a long career ahead of them, they do not know what won't come off, so they are confident enough to try almost anything and make it work.
"That is the benefit of youth," Byrne said. "That's the wonder of youth. When you have young players that come that come through.
"Older, experienced players, they do things the right way and have their standards and that's all fine, but when you have somebody that can do something different out of nothing, they can be the difference.
"That was the difference today, especially for Obafemi's goal. Even for the goal that he laid on for Troy Parrott. There was something different about it.
"It would be a bit harsh saying it was 'unIrish', but it was a breath of fresh air!"
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