O’Shea insists ‘special’ goal was well deserved

John O’Shea hailed a "special moment" after equalising last night on the occasion of his 100th cap, and argued that it was crucial for the team’s momentum that such a fine performance actually got the result it deserved.

Ireland seemed to be destined to pick up more credit but no points after Toni Kroos had given Germany the lead with a 71st-minute pile-river. Centurion O’Shea managed to shock Jogi Low’s side with a stoppage-time equaliser, however, and he praised the spirit of the team.

“The manager put me forward with a couple of minutes to go,” he said. “It was a big credit to the lads in front of me tonight because, the way we played in the first half was very determined, very dogged. We were unlucky not to get an equaliser before with Wes [Hoolahan].