John O’Shea remains the credible candidate to lead Ireland on a permanent basis

“I think everyone including myself, the staff, the players, everyone, would like clarity on it,” said O’Shea before kick-off. 

RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB?  Republic of Ireland interim head coach John O'Shea will be boosted by his side win this evening. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

THE perennial bunglers of the FAI seem to have been hell-bent on leading Ireland into the international wilderness but, for one night at the Aviva Stadium at least, there were signs that the game’s leaders may finally have got something right.

In a friendly largely interpreted as the start of a one-week audition for interim manager John O’Shea to claim the post that nobody seems to want, a dramatic 2-1 win over Euros-bound Hungary was a solid start.