Soccer: I can still make World Cup - O’Shea

Manchester United defender John O’Shea is still hoping to win a place in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup squad despite being left out for tonight’s friendly against Denmark.

The 20-year-old central defender is a surprise omission from manager Mick McCarthy’s senior squad for the game against their fellow finalists at Lansdowne Road, a clear indication the Waterford youngster could miss out on the trip to Japan this summer.

O’Shea captained the Irish Under-21 side to a 3-2 win against their Danish counterparts at Turner’s Cross in Cork last night, putting in a faultless performance before being substituted with a dead leg at the start of the second half.

But he insists there is still time to make the breakthrough to the senior squad.

‘‘I’ll never give up hope of going to Japan,’’ said O’Shea.

‘‘If there’s any slim chance of me going to the World Cup I’m going to cling on to it.

‘‘But it’s out of my hands, really, it’s up to Mick. He has his squad and he’s going to pick his best team.

‘‘All I can do is progress at my club and it will look after itself.

‘‘But a lot of things could happen between now and the finals and I won’t give up hope,’’ he added.

O’Shea certainly has a fan in Under-21 boss Don Givens, who said: ‘‘John looked a class above everybody else while he was on.

‘‘He was coasting through the game and seemed to have so much in hand. He didn’t really put a foot wrong and he was excellent.

‘‘His progress has been just terrific which is great for us and for the future.’’

O’Shea is also keeping his fingers crossed that he can cap off a remarkable breakthrough season with a Barclaycard Premiership winners’ medal.

Despite the shock home defeat to Middlesbrough at the weekend, he is typically optimistic.

He said: ‘‘It was a very disappointing result and it’s out of our hands now.

‘‘It’s down to the other teams but we won’t give up and we’ll give it our best shot.

‘‘If the other teams slip up I’m sure we’ll be there. There’s definitely a few more twists and turns along the way.’’