O’Shea is U-21 skipper

MANCHESTER UNITED’S John O’Shea will captain the Irish U-21 team against Finland in Helsinki on Tuesday, August 20, the eve of the senior international match.

O’Shea, whose first-team prospects at United have not been helped by the signing of Rio Ferdinand, has made one appearance for Ireland’s senior team and 12 for the U-21 side.

He was a candidate for inclusion in the squad of 23 for the World Cup finals in Asia and it can only be a matter of time before this talented defender is a regular with Ireland.