O'Shea praises near centurion McClean: He’s a great example, he's so proud to play for his country

Entering the Century Club isn’t beyond him as Kenny clearly has a liking for a veteran who has played a regular part in an Ireland jersey.

31 May 2022; James McClean during a Republic of Ireland training session at FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

James McClean’s half-hour cameo didn’t generate a whole tonne of headlines when the Republic of Ireland just about managed to see off Lithuania in an Aviva Stadium friendly last March.

Troy Parrott’s injury-time strike allowed Stephen Kenny’s men to luxuriate in victory despite a laboured enough display that, paradoxically, was set to be remembered only for the number of goals the home side had disallowed.