Aaron Connolly is up and running as an international starter – after a brief scare it might not happen.

The teenage Albion forward was in the Republic of Ireland XI which faced Switzerland in Geneva.

His big night was temporarily under threat due to heavy rain which forced a pitch inspection.

But the game got the go-ahead and Switzerland won 2-0.

Connolly’s full international debut came just seven weeks to the night after his first senior goal – for Albion at Bristol Rovers in a Carabao Cup tie.

The 19-year-old Galwegian has enjoyed a whirlwind few weeks, with his first senior goal for Albion followed by league minutes and then a Prem start, in which he scored twice against Spurs.

His efforts on his international debut as sub in Georgia on Saturday led to a clamour for Mick McCarthy to use him from kick-off last night.

Connolly started the match in support of former Crawley centre-forward James Collins.

The two players were colleagues at Luton when Connolly was on loan last season, although they never got on the pitch together in League One.

Connolly dragged a ball across the face of goal during a first half in which the Swiss, needing a win, dominated possession.

Collins went off at the break, leaving Connolly as the main striker as winger Callum O’Dowda joined the action.

He battled away and there were some claims for a penalty as he got into a good position.

But it was tough going as the Irish struggled to create chances and he went off for the final 20 minutes with his side 1-0 down.

Albion centre-back Shane Duffy also started for the Republic.

The centre-back sent a header too close to the keeper with a decent chance in the first half.

His evening ended with a desperate but vain effort to keep out a shot from Edmilson Fernandes in the final seconds.

Haris Seferovic opened the scoring for Switzerland in the first half and Darren Randolph later saved a Ricardo Rodriguez penalty.

Albion will now be keen to get their Irish duo rested and ready for Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.