Jolly green giant gets serious

TO DESCRIBE Ireland’s strapping master of versatility as a jolly green giant might be pushing it a bit but John O’Shea is one of those players for whom a broad grin is never too far away.

But just for a moment at the Malahide United training ground, the Waterford man's smile seems to freeze as he is reminded that he has only made one start in five for Manchester United.

"I think I've had more than one in five starts," O'Shea deadpans, "I think it was two in five." The grin returns as the room collapses in laughter.