Deciding to ignore the family tradition of playing hurling and sticking to soccer was one of the early decisions made by Jamie McGrath.

And the Meath lad realises that it’s a series of good calls which has led him to where he is today, about to make his senior Ireland debut and a player who will be in great demand in the summer transfer market after an astonishing season with St Mirren.

Players from the Royal County are a rarity at international level, as the chap from Athboy seeks to become only the second Meathman (after Darragh Lenihan) to play at senior level, while footballers who earn their keep in the Scottish leagues have also been overlooked by the Republic. But McGrath is determined to make the most of his opportunity. “I’m just coming in, I want to train well, I want to put my best foot forward, I want to play. I’m not coming in to try and make up the numbers,” he says, ahead of Thursday’s friendly in Andorra.

“To do that, I’ve got to impress in training, so that’s my sole focus at the moment. I’ve got to get in and mix well with the lads. I have really enjoyed it so far, the boys have been very welcoming, but it’s up to me to stake a claim for playing in the match on Thursday.”

Raised in Athboy, the Co Meath village which has a strong hurling connection, his career could have taken another path. “My granddad would have been a massive hurling fan, he played for Meath, so it was in the family, my cousins as well,” he adds.

“But my father was a big football man, not that he kept me away from it. He always gave me the option to play whatever I wanted, but football was always my love. I didn’t play much hurling.”

Initially educated at Athboy Celtic and Cherry Orchard, McGrath’s progress in soccer was smooth, the midfielder kept busy off the field as he pursued a degree in NUI Maynooth. And it’s encouraging that, after positive spells with St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk, he avoided the sadly typical dead end of a cross-channel move from the League of Ireland, which is so familiar to the league’s best exports, and has thrived in the Scottish top flight with St Mirren.

Before making the move, McGrath had conversations with Ireland manager Kenny and also his new boss at St Mirren, former Ireland international Jim Goodwin. “Speaking with the gaffer at St Mirren, he really sold it to me. He basically told me I hope you are only here for a few months or a season to two, and use it as a stepping stone. Thankfully, it has worked out for me so far,” says McGrath.

“I got chatting to Stephen at a wedding just before I signed for St Mirren. I was telling him I’d just signed to go across the water and he was delighted for me. He thought that was the best for me. It’s worked out well and, hopefully, it will continue.”