O’Shea shows grit and future Ireland captain potential
IT’S one for the end-of-year quiz buffs: which footballer in 2020 played in the Championship, the Premier League and for the Republic of Ireland at Wembley?
Back in January, few saw what was coming, not least Dara O’Shea, who had one appearance in the Championship for West Brom on his CV.
But sport has a way of providing as many pathways as it does cul-de-sacs. Sometimes, you need a manager to like the cut of your jib, like Slaven Bilic at West Brom, and Stephen Kenny too, who has been eager to promote players from his time at the U21s.
Of those, O’Shea has come across as reliable and robust during his two appearances as substitute, against Finland last month and England last Thursday. He’s no shrinking violet and if the ball is there to be won, he goes for it and stands his ground.
With Ireland missing a clutch of defenders, O’Shea is set to start against Wales in the Nations League this evening, to add another chapter to his 2020 storybook.
‘Playing three different levels has been great for my development. Each is a step up. I’ve had to work hard for the opportunities I’ve been given. They’ve all been different
‘It’s been amazing, a dream for me. And after getting caps already, I just want to continue.’
It’s an advantage that t O’Shea is comfortable across the defensive line. ‘I’m young and I want to play as many games as possible, so I’ll play anywhere across the back four.
‘My preferred position and my natural position is centre-back. I’ve played ed right-back and left-back for
West Brom so I’m comfortable in those positions as well.’
O’Shea’s route to the Premier League has embraced loan spells at non-league Hereford and Exeter City, where he played 33 games in 2018-19.
Teenagers are often made or broken in the lower divisions but O’Shea is as hard as nails, on the pitch and savvy between the ears too.
It’s early days but we may be looking at a future Irish captain in the 21-year-old from Templeogue, who combined excellence as a Gaelic footballer and hurler with St Pius and St Jude’s, while playing for Rangers and then St Kevin’s Boys.
At U14 level, he played three games in the Dublin Feile for Jude’s before playing for
Kevin’s in an All-Ireland U14 later that day.
At Jude’s, he had immense respect for Kevin McManamon, a winner of seven All-Irelands with the Dubs.
‘Growing up, with Kevin being a St Jude’s man, he was always someone I admired. I was big into the Gaelic and hurling when
I was younger and he was playing for Dublin and the one to look up to in that respect.
‘Living so close to each other as well was great for me. As I grew up, I had a few interactions with him. He is a really good athlete in his field and a really good person as well.
‘I always keep an eye on the Dubs and St Jude’s. It was a big part of my childhood, the Gaelic and hurling, going from game to game every weekend.’
Along the way sports-daft O’SheaO’Sh found time to followfol the Republic of Ireland,Ir at home and away,a for he was part ofo the madness in LilleL when Robbie BradyB headed in homeh the last-gasp winnerwi against Italy at the EuroE finals in 2016. ‘I wentwen over with my Dad and that was amazing, just to follow the team around France.
‘It was a great time for the country. When Robbie scored that goal, we were up in the heavens in the stand and everyone just started falling down the steps celebrating, I won’t forget that one.’
Four years on, O’Shea finds himself on a par with the lion-hearts of Lille.
What’s that been like? ‘It’s a bit surreal when you come in and see these players you’ve been watching for so long. They say hello to you and your name and you’re a bit taken aback by it.
It’s been great to learn off them.’
James McClean was a huge influence for O’Shea when their paths crossed at West Brom and they stood together for Ireland at Wembley last Thursday.
O’Shea won’t be dazzled by the shimmering brilliance of Gareth Bale in Cardiff today, but he’ll have his game face on for he knows much is at stake.
‘This game is important after the way results have gone. We played Wales recently.
Everyone knows their roles, and knows three points is a must.’