O’Shea recalls his Euro success

A nation may have groaned when Ireland’s path in Poland was laid out at last December’s draw in Kiev but John O’Shea knows what it is like to beat Italy and Spain in a European Championships and, lest we forget, to win one too.

The Sunderland defender, then with Waterford Bohemians, played centre-back in Brian Kerr’s U16 side which also beat Finland, hosts Scotland, Denmark and Portugal on the way to an historic triumph 14 years ago.

It was the first time an Irish side had ever won a major international tournament. They did it in some style by beating the Azzurri 2-1 in the final in Perth and Simone Pelanti’s 52nd minute strike was the only goal they conceded in six games.