Jake O'Brien: It's not about developing any more, it's about winning

O’Brien is on course to be part of an Ireland side refined by O’Shea in this stopgap period and soldered by the new permanent boss due to take over in early April.

DEBUT COMING: Jake O'Brien during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

THERE’S a softness in Jake O’Brien’s voice until the tone rises into the alchemy of delivering the money line.

“Growing up,” begins the inquisitor to the debut Ireland call-up, “What players did you look up to in Irish context?”