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John O'Shea has highlighted the Man City draw as key to Sunderland's survival. Donall Farmer/INPHO
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Ireland team still in 'honeymoon period' - O'Shea

The Sunderland defender also said his side’s draw with Man City inspired their fantastic end-of-season run.

JOHN O’SHEA BELIEVES the eagerness to impress Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane is the decisive factor in higher-than-average player turnout for Ireland’s end-of-season friendlies.

The Sunderland defender says the side are still in their “honeymoon period,” with O’Neill yet to take charge of a competitive fixture at international level.

“This time next year, we’ll be well into the campaign, so you have to keep yourself in shape after the season finishes.

“Settling in, wanting to impress [is important] as the squad is still in that honeymoon period. You can see that with all the players showing up, and the application and enthusiasm in training has been fantastic.”

Meanwhile, on the subject of Sunderland’s miraculous end-of-season escape from relegation, he cited the 2-2 draw with Man City as giving them the belief that survival could be achieved.

“For the lads, especially after that game, it was a real turning point. We thought we’ve nothing to fear now going down to Chelsea.

“It was great that we went on the run that we did and got momentum at the right time,” he added. “After the two Monday night losses, [relegation] looked fairly certain.

“But we showed against the bigger teams throughout the season that we could do it.”

The 33-year-old also says he is as eager as ever to feature in the Ireland set-up, despite it being his “49th or 50th” game of the season.

“It’s playing for my country — something I’ve always cherished,” he explains.

The ex-United man echoed Martin O’Neill’s hopes that Roy Keane would remain with the squad for the foreseeable future, adding that players are accustomed to such speculation.

Asked if Keane would receive much slagging about the Celtic rumours, O’Shea laughed: “I’ll probably be getting enough slagging off him after Waterford against Cork [in hurling] tomorrow.”

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