DARA O’SHEA HAS hailed the spirit of the Republic of Ireland players and staff after dealing with the tensions that arose during the last international window.
The Dubliner was stand-in captain during September and October in the absence of Nathan Collins (injured) and Seamus Coleman (without a club).
The latter is still looking to confirm his next move but has been included by manager Heimir Hallgrímsson in a “hybrid role” that will see him train as usual and have some input on the coaching side during this final Nations League doubler header with Austria and Kosovo.
As a result of their unavailability last time out, O’Shea found himself central to discussions between players and management regarding how they would handle the situation with playing Israel.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the topic, O’Shea explained how he felt supported in his role and praised the influence of teammates.
“I think I was quite lucky, I am really proud to be part of the group, with some great people in it. People like John [O’Shea] here beside me, even the players playing now as well, they are great leaders themselves.
“I never felt I was fully alone in having to do anything, there were always people around me,” he said.
Advertisement
“I always keep level-headed, don’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows, of course it was a difficult time. It was a time that I had to learn stuff about myself, how I was going to react to things, but I think as a group we did excellently.
“It was a tough situation to be in, but we overcame it as best we could. I am really proud of the group and the staff.
“It’s great to have them (Collins and Coleman) back. It would have been great if they were there in the last camp as well, but we had some really good people in that last camp who were doing great things,” O’Shea said.
“Nathan’s the captain so it’s always great to have him back in. Before we spoke about Seamus, his knowledge is so, so valuable to us. I think we are a stronger group when we have them two with us. His knowledge is so, so valuable to us.
“We have good leaders and good lads in the group as well. We’ve got a lot of lads who are captains in the club at that level. It’s a good environment to be in at the moment, especially with the characters we have.”
Dara O'Shea (left) and John O'Shea speaking today. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Despite the drama of events the day before facing Israel in Hungary, when two votes were carried out among the squad about whether to go ahead with the fixture, Ireland put on a stirring performance and romped to a 3-0 win with all the goals coming in the first half.
O’Shea was not involved in the 1-1 draw with Israel in Serbia as his partner gave birth to a baby girl, but that win in Debrecen was an indication of what Hallgrímsson’s side are capable of away from home.
A win in Austria on Saturday followed by victory over Kosovo at Aviva Stadium next Tuesday could see Ireland top the group and secure promotion to League A.
“It’s also always been in us, as a group, trying to find ways to adapt. We came together really well as a group in that camp,” the centre back said.
“We felt that we could produce a performance like that and we did. Everyone was really inspired and the feeling on the pitch was one of wanting to go again. We need to go push it and can take a lot coming into these two games and the future.
“That relentlessness and how we approached it is a lot of the DNA in us as Irish people and wanting to play Irish football. We’re really effective when we play that way.
“If we can find the way to get ourselves in that position and motivate ourselves to that point, it gives us a great opportunity to win games.”
Hallgrímsson’s assistant, John O’Shea, was alongside the defender and was coy on whether Coleman might be considered for a place in the matchday squad.
“That’s for the boss to decide. We’ll discuss that after the next few sessions. We still have a few sessions to do,” he said, adding that he is content with the situation Ireland find themselves in with two games remaining.
“Of course you would. That’s the knowledge after the four games. It is a tough away game in Austria but you know what that can lead to if you put in a performance and get a result from it.
“And then there is the chance of playing Kosovo at home. What we know from playing [Austria] in Dublin, we are capable of getting something from the game.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
'We overcame it as best we could' - Dara O'Shea reflects on Israel tensions
DARA O’SHEA HAS hailed the spirit of the Republic of Ireland players and staff after dealing with the tensions that arose during the last international window.
The Dubliner was stand-in captain during September and October in the absence of Nathan Collins (injured) and Seamus Coleman (without a club).
The latter is still looking to confirm his next move but has been included by manager Heimir Hallgrímsson in a “hybrid role” that will see him train as usual and have some input on the coaching side during this final Nations League doubler header with Austria and Kosovo.
As a result of their unavailability last time out, O’Shea found himself central to discussions between players and management regarding how they would handle the situation with playing Israel.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the topic, O’Shea explained how he felt supported in his role and praised the influence of teammates.
“I think I was quite lucky, I am really proud to be part of the group, with some great people in it. People like John [O’Shea] here beside me, even the players playing now as well, they are great leaders themselves.
“I never felt I was fully alone in having to do anything, there were always people around me,” he said.
“I always keep level-headed, don’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows, of course it was a difficult time. It was a time that I had to learn stuff about myself, how I was going to react to things, but I think as a group we did excellently.
“It was a tough situation to be in, but we overcame it as best we could. I am really proud of the group and the staff.
“It’s great to have them (Collins and Coleman) back. It would have been great if they were there in the last camp as well, but we had some really good people in that last camp who were doing great things,” O’Shea said.
“Nathan’s the captain so it’s always great to have him back in. Before we spoke about Seamus, his knowledge is so, so valuable to us. I think we are a stronger group when we have them two with us. His knowledge is so, so valuable to us.
“We have good leaders and good lads in the group as well. We’ve got a lot of lads who are captains in the club at that level. It’s a good environment to be in at the moment, especially with the characters we have.”
Despite the drama of events the day before facing Israel in Hungary, when two votes were carried out among the squad about whether to go ahead with the fixture, Ireland put on a stirring performance and romped to a 3-0 win with all the goals coming in the first half.
O’Shea was not involved in the 1-1 draw with Israel in Serbia as his partner gave birth to a baby girl, but that win in Debrecen was an indication of what Hallgrímsson’s side are capable of away from home.
A win in Austria on Saturday followed by victory over Kosovo at Aviva Stadium next Tuesday could see Ireland top the group and secure promotion to League A.
“It’s also always been in us, as a group, trying to find ways to adapt. We came together really well as a group in that camp,” the centre back said.
“We felt that we could produce a performance like that and we did. Everyone was really inspired and the feeling on the pitch was one of wanting to go again. We need to go push it and can take a lot coming into these two games and the future.
“That relentlessness and how we approached it is a lot of the DNA in us as Irish people and wanting to play Irish football. We’re really effective when we play that way.
“If we can find the way to get ourselves in that position and motivate ourselves to that point, it gives us a great opportunity to win games.”
Hallgrímsson’s assistant, John O’Shea, was alongside the defender and was coy on whether Coleman might be considered for a place in the matchday squad.
“That’s for the boss to decide. We’ll discuss that after the next few sessions. We still have a few sessions to do,” he said, adding that he is content with the situation Ireland find themselves in with two games remaining.
“Of course you would. That’s the knowledge after the four games. It is a tough away game in Austria but you know what that can lead to if you put in a performance and get a result from it.
“And then there is the chance of playing Kosovo at home. What we know from playing [Austria] in Dublin, we are capable of getting something from the game.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
dara o'shea FAI John O'Shea Republic Of Ireland Soccer