Just as he was on a roll for club and country, injury strikes.
Irish football fans were just coming to terms with Seamus Coleman’s season-ending injury so the last thing they needed was another important member of the squad limping away from the fray.
Ireland are well placed in their 2018 World Cup Qualifiers group, on 13 points, and a home win over Austria on June 13 will set them up for a charge on top spot.
They will have to get through that qualifier, as well as friendlies against Mexico and Uruguay, without the services of David Meyler.
The 27-year-old picked up a knee injury in training with Hull City, this afternoon, and the club confirmed his season is over.
🏥 | @DavidMeyler7 has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a medial knee ligament injury in training yesterday pic.twitter.com/dNlN460we4
— Hull City (@HullCity) April 14, 2017
The club has wished the versatile Meyler all the best in his recoveries and will have to continue on their relegation fight without him.
The Cork native made 28 appearances for the Tigers this season as well as five outings for Ireland. He stepped up in midfield for Ireland in that excellent away win over Austria, last November.
Not all heroes wear starting jerseys https://t.co/7hlOd3aken
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 12, 2016
Following that 1-0 victory, Coleman declared:
“David Meyler: He’s been waiting for a chance and he was different class.”
He was named on the bench for the home qualifier against Wales but did a fine job when he was drafted in for the injured James McCarthy on short notice.
Following that draw, he spoke with us about how getting Ireland to the World Cup in Russia was a huge focus:
“You’ve got to be ready. We want to go to Russia, we want to qualify for the World Cup – especially after the Euros. That’s our aim and I want to be a part of that and so does everybody else. That’s why you’ve got to be ready when you’re called upon.”
Martin O’Neill won’t be able to call upon Meyler for the rest of this season but he will be hoping to have him fully fit for the run-in.