Let's face it, losing Sean Maguire for both legs of the world cup play-off against Denmark is far from ideal.
Sean Maguire was recalled to the Republic of Ireland squad for the play-offs after making his competitive international debut in the win over Moldova.
There was a lot of hype surrounding the 23-year-old due to the success he has been having with Preston North End in the Championship this season. He's racked up four goals and three assists in 13 games at club level and Irish fans were hoping he could keep his fine form going with the Boys In Green.
Unfortunately, the former Cork City man suffered a hamstring injury in training and will undergo surgery, meaning that featuring in the Denmark games is just not possible.
https://twitter.com/Seani_Maguire_/status/926870962699718662
We'll be honest with you, we really didn't need that type of doom and gloom of a Saturday. Fortunately, some other Republic of Ireland strikers raised our spirits by finding the net.
David McGoldrick, who was named in Martin O'Neill's squad to face the Danes, grabbed his seventh goal of the season for Ipswich in a 3-0 win over Preston.
He made an almighty leap to direct a powerful header from the back-post past the goalkeeper and into the net. If he could do this off a Robbie Brady cross in the Aviva, we'd be laughing.
https://twitter.com/TTBITFC/status/926846208492146689
Shifting hemispheres, the Irish boys down under had quite a bit of success.
Roy O'Donovan grabbed himself a brace for the Newcastle Jets against Wellington Phoenix. Admittedly, he would be doing well to score an easier goal in his career than the opener he was gifted.
Still, a goal is a goal os a goal, and so far, the Cork native has netted seven in just five A-League appearances this season.
https://twitter.com/ALeague/status/926750299053744129
Remember Andy Keogh? He amassed two goals in 30 international caps for the Republic of Ireland between 2007 and 2012.
He's been finding the net fairly regularly for Perth Glory of late and he managed to find it again today with a real poacher's finish.
https://twitter.com/PerthGloryFC/status/926807481635946500
We're by no means suggesting that these boys should slot right into the Ireland team, but that McGoldrick goal and his form, in general, might give O'Neill something to consider.
Plus, it's just good to see Irish strikers scoring.
