O’Shea pleased with graduation to top level with Cork City

Josh O’Shea was always determined to give himself a chance of playing at the highest level.

The Cork City midfielder, signed from UCC at the end of the Munster Senior League Premier Division season, is eager to help the side bounce back from two straight defeats as they take on St Patrick’s Athletic at Turner’s Cross tonight (7.45pm).

Aged 22, O’Shea never believed he had missed the opportunity of moving up and is glad to be involved.

“No matter what team I was on, I was always going to train hard. I always did an extra bit because obviously you want to be the best you can be. I always hoped I’d get a chance and if I did get it I was going to take it and that’s what happened.

“John [Caulfield] phoned me up towards the end of the season and asked if it was something I’d be interested in and I thought, ‘This is it, it’s now or never’.”

Slotting straight into the side was not something he expected, however.

“I was surprised at how much playing time I got. From day one, my intention and my attitude was that I was going to work as hard as I possibly can and do any extra that I could to aid any chance I’d have of playing first-team football.

“I was grateful, it was a great confidence-boost to be given a chance to play but the lads can see in training how you’re doing and the effort you’re putting in. Then, it’s up to you on the pitch, 11 v 11, fighting for the title, there’s no hiding places out there so you have to put in the effort.”

Making the leap from the MSL to the League of Ireland can be a daunting one, and O’Shea is aware that all-round improvement is a necessity.

“Obviously, there’s a step up in quality and standard,” he said.

“The tempo and speed are a lot quicker and lot of it is not only ability-wise but in the head as well, your thinking process has to be quicker.

“Your touch has to be better, passes sharper, but off the pitch as well it’s a step up. Your days off aren’t even days off because it’s about getting your recovery right and your rest days are for resting.”

To that end, finishing his Masters degree in information systems at the end of this month will at least be one less headache. Having studied commerce with German as his undergraduate course, a year in Germany helped to round him out as a footballer.

“I spent my third year of commerce there,” he said.

“I was in Nuremburg for the year and played with VfL Nuremberg. They were very welcoming, I got good training and played a lot of matches.

“The style of football over there is very different, a lot of possession, a lot of teams set up with five in midfield – like we are at the moment – with the aim of holding the ball.

“Teams sit back and wait for you to make a mistake and then pounce, which is good experience to get.”