Stylist O’ Shea signals the dawn of a new era

JOHN O’SHEA is the physical evidence of the start of a new era for Ireland’s international team for he will play in his first competitive match against Georgia in Tbilisi tonight in the European Championship qualifying tie.

O'Shea represents the one major departure from what went before under former manager Mick McCarthy as Brian Kerr attempts to restore winning ways to an Irish squad that was tired after the World Cup and slumped uncharacteristically to play poorly in successive games against Russia and Switzerland.

Kerr, who appears to have restored the up-beat mood that distinguished the squad prior to the start of the current championship, paid an indirect tribute to his predecessor by restoring Kenny Cunningham to the captaincy yesterday with the comment: "We want to retain as much continuity as possible."