The pressure was on.
Richie Towell, the most promising player to come out of the SSE Airtricity League in years, was given his first chance to impress for new club Brighton who he signed for last November on a two-and-a-half year deal.
The midfielder, who scored 25 goals for Dundalk as they retained the league title last season, was tasked with helping Brighton progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup but wasn't rewarded with a dream debut as Chris Hughton's side fell to a first half Robert Snodgrass penalty away at Hull.
But Towell was a shining light on an otherwise dull Saturday afternoon.
https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/685823668644147200
The well-wishers were out in full voice to offer congratulations to the 24-year-old on his first start in England.
https://twitter.com/AidanMcGuinness/status/685832964152922112
https://twitter.com/sportsdes/status/685836945323352064
https://twitter.com/JFsports1/status/685840046927253505
And the attacking midfielder started brightly, by all accounts.
https://twitter.com/stephenjmcd/status/685844157999505408
https://twitter.com/FM_Ireland/status/685840491972280324
https://twitter.com/HullCityLive/status/685846141762682880
Many youngsters would have wilted on the big stage but the Irishman gave as good as he got, even to his teammates.
https://twitter.com/FM_Ireland/status/685843748467662849
https://twitter.com/GerCun7/status/685851501013659648
The former Dundalk man brought his creativity into the second half, despite the Seagulls being behind at the break.
https://twitter.com/triIInigga/status/685855444364050434
https://twitter.com/FM_Ireland/status/685855794001219584
https://twitter.com/SamOHanrahanSCP/status/685864208496472065
He started trending.
https://twitter.com/TrendsDublin/status/685868418730426368
And also started scrapping.
https://twitter.com/HullCityLive/status/685859662651080704
https://twitter.com/FM_Ireland/status/685859820658946053
And while he played the full 90, he wasn't able to get on the scoresheet and saw his new club knocked out of the FA Cup but the signs of promise were clear for all to see.
https://twitter.com/GerCun7/status/685867561859289088
