Andrew Omobamidele was born the week after the Republic of Ireland were knocked out of the World Cup by Spain in 2002 and he’s never been to the Aviva Stadium.

Life comes at everyone fast and the Leixlip teenager has enjoyed his speedy elevation to prominence in the space of a short few months. 

Omobamidele started his first Championship game for Norwich at the beginning of April and remained in the side on their successful charge to Premier League promotion.

And the central defender’s impressive displays have now booked him a place in Stephen Kenny’s squad for the summer training camp and friendlies with Andorra and Hungary.

Omobamidele was once deemed only good enough for the third team at Leixlip United so it would be a stretch to say he was always tipped to succeed. But there’s no stopping him now.

“Football is all about momentum,” said the 18-year-old, speaking at the launch of the FAI’s Summer Soccer Schools in partnership with INTERSPORT Elverys.

“There was definitely a bit of nerves when I came into the Norwich team. But you need to think back and remember there’s a reason why you’re in this position and you need to show everyone why you’re there.”

The call from Kenny did come out of the blue for Omobamidele, who was with the U-21 group in March and didn’t recognise the number that popped up on his phone.

For the son of a Nigerian father and Irish mother, it was a special honour. “It was a proud moment for me and my family and Leixlip as a community. Being born and raised in Ireland it’s a dream to be playing with the senior team.

“I didn’t have his number saved in my phone. When I was answering it I said ‘who’s this?’. When he (Kenny) said his name I was a bit embarrassed but it was a funny thing, a bit overwhelming.” It’s a reflection of the youngster’s age that the first defender he can remember watching is an ageing Rio Ferdinand. The players he admires at the moment are closer to his generation.

“When I watch games it doesn’t really matter who’s playing, I kind of just take little bits off the centre-backs who are playing and just see what they’re doing well,” he says, “The centre-backs at Leipzig – [Ibrahima] Konate and [Dayot] Upamecano – and there’s Ruben Dias, he’s 24 and he just went into the [Manchester] City side and basically took over the defence. I do my best to nit-pick and soak up all of them.”