John O’Shea exits stage with class

It was entirely in keeping with John O’Shea’s self-effacing character and career-long commitment to the concept of the ‘team player’, that the elegant defender’s farewell address to the Irish supporters seemed to be about everyone but himself, writes Liam Mackey.

After announcing that “with sadness and joy” he will don the green shirt for the last time against the USA at the Aviva Stadium on June 2, the 37-year-old made a point of not just saluting players and managers (and family and friends) from throughout his career but also the new generation of Irish football talent aiming to follow in his illustrious footsteps.

“We have just passed the 20th anniversary of the Ireland Under 16s winning the UEFA European Championships in Scotland and it is fitting that the current U17 squad are now competing on the same stage,” he observed.