Amhrán na bhFiann

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) today confirmed the departure of outgoing national team manager Stephen Kenny, with former captain John O'Shea taking the reigns in his place. Kenny's tenure lasted just three-and-a-half months, having taken the reigns himself in April, as the former Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers manager leaves without a game in charge to his name. In an FAI statement, it was confirmed that Kenny left his role 'due to personal reasons', and the FAI thanked him for his efforts as manage of the senior team, as well as his efforts as Under-21s manager from 2018 - 2020.

John O'Shea replaces Stephen Kenny as Ireland's third new manager since the last time they appeared in a major competition (Euro 2016). Mick McCarthy took charge of a disappointing 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, and left his role in April of this year for new scenery, with the Covid-19 pandemic in full swing. McCarthy had guided Ireland to a playoff place for the delayed 2020 European Championships, with Ireland to face Bosnia in the playoff semi finals in October of this year ahead of next summer's finals.

John O'Shea will have a big task on his hands as his Ireland side will face the much-fancied Bosnia & Herzegovenia in the Euro 2020 playoff semifinals, with the winner progressing to the final against either Northern Ireland or Slovakia. Ireland will also play against Wales, Finland and Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League B Group 4 fixtures this winter - a group which Ireland are predicted to finish third in.

A lack of goals has been Ireland's downfall in recent years. Since the 2016 European Championships, Ireland have scored just 27 goals in 28 games in competitive fixtures and friendlies combined. Much of Ireland's lackluster form in front of goal has been attributed to their top scorer of all time, Robbie Keane, retiring from international football in 2016. The Dublin-born former striker notched up an incredible 68 goals in 146 games for Ireland, and is renowned as one of the greatest goal scorers of international football ever. Among active players, Shane Long is Ireland's top scorer with 17 goals to his name in 82 games.

The objective for John O'Shea's Ireland will be to reach the delayed Euro 2020 playoff finals but to do that, they will need to navigate a tricky task in Bosnia. With squad confidence at an all-time low, O'Shea will have a monstrous task on his hands to blood new talent into the team and to get a blunt set of players firing on all cylinders once more. The 118-capped former Irish defender is aware of the pressure involved with the role but is excited about his first management role, following a brief spell as a coach for English side Reading since his retirement from playing in 2019.[/jjustify]

John O'Shea:

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"It's an honour to be in this role now. Everybody knows how much I love being involved with the national team. Coming from Waterford, it was always a dream of mine to play for Ireland and I was very fortunate to do that, and to play in a few tournaments with Ireland. Now I'm in a position where I can help the next generation to fulfill their dreams of playing for Ireland, and hopefully to play for Ireland in tournaments too.


It's a difficult role (being manager of Ireland) - one that has taken its toll on some very experienced managers. I think I can take inspiration from those who came before me, particularly those who lead us to tournaments, and hopefully we can qualify for a tournament sooner rather than later. We're a very small country and we want to make the people proud of our football again.

I was fortunate enough to play with some really incredible players in the past - Robbie (Keane), Shay (Given), Damien (Duff), Richard (Dunne) all spring to mind. There's still some of my former team mates involved and hopefully they'll all play a big part for us but it is also time for new faces to come in and leave a mark on Irish football. I'll give opportunities to the players who deserve them but it is up to the players to prove themselves. Let's make this country proud."

John O'Shea was confirmed as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland's national team recently, but who is he? Let's take a look at the often-forgotten, but always reliable, former defender.

Born on 30th April 1981, John Francis O'Shea hailed from Waterford, Ireland. Growing up in the south of the country, O'Shea played youth football for Ferrybank AFC and Waterford Bohemians. In 1998, John O'Shea made the much-travelled move overseas to Manchester United where he joined an illustrious academy which produced more superstars than any other in British football. O'Shea impressed for the club's juvenile sides, and was handed a first-team debut by the great Alex Ferguson in a League Cup game against Aston Villa on 13th October 1999.


In order to gain first-team experience, O'Shea departed on loan to AFC Bournemouth of the old English Second Division for the 1999/2000 season and then on to Royal Antwerp of Belgium for the 2000/2001 season. John O'Shea racked up a total of 24 across the two seasons in a variety of defensive roles, and returned to the Manchester United senior team as a player who could play anywhere across the back line.

O'Shea's versatility often meant he was a player who was used to fill gaps in the squad by Alex Ferguson during his time at the club, but was regularly involved in a star-studded team. O'Shea's Manchester United career was one littered with trophy success - as he won 5 Premier Leagues, 1 Champions League, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cups, 4 Community Shields and 1 Club World Cup trophy in 393 games between 1999 and 2011. A stoppage time winner at Anfield in the Premier League in 2007 will be forever remembered by Manchester United fans.

O'Shea's Manchester United career came to an end in 2011 when he moved to Wearside as he joined Sunderland in a £4,000,000 deal. Former Manchester United player Steve Bruce was the manager at the time and the signing of O'Shea was much-celebrated by a side that was still finding its feet in the Premier League, having been promoted a few seasons previously. O'Shea made 256 appearances for Sunderland, primarily as a central defender, between 2011 and 2018. His last two seasons at the club were misery-filled, with Sunderland suffering back-to-back relegations from both the Premier League and the Championship.

In a mass clear-out by Sunderland in 2018, John O'Shea left the club for Championship side Reading on a free transfer. O'Shea made 11 appearances for Reading before hanging up his boots after an incredible 20-year club career in 2019.

The Waterford-born defender was touted as a very talented player from a young age. Under Mick McCarthy, O'Shea made his Ireland senior debut in 2001 against Croatia in a friendly. Despite impressing for Manchester United, O'Shea didn't make the cut for the Irish squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. O'Shea quickly became a key player for his country shortly after, however, and made an astonishing 118 appearances for his country - the third-most ever for Ireland. John O'Shea played a key role in the two tournaments he played in - the European Championships in 2012 and 2016, and his own personal highlight as an Irish international came in 2014 when he scored a last-minute equaliser against Germany on his 100th appearance for Ireland - a goal which was important in Ireland's qualification campaign for the 2016 European Championships.

Since hanging up his boots, John O'Shea has been involved in Reading's coaching team. Following a year of experience-building, John O'Shea was handed the opportunity to lead a country he represented for 18 years as a player. Despite not having any managerial experience to his name, 'Johno' is a man Irish fans have an affinity with and will certainly get behind.

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New manager John O'Shea named his first Republic of Ireland squad for their September fixtures against Finland (A) and Wales (H) in the UEFA Nations League B, with plenty of surprises in the squad. Long-term Ireland players Robbie Brady, Glenn Whelan, James McClean and Shane Long were among those missing John O'Shea's first squad.

Instead, O'Shea experimented by putting his faith in youth. Eight of the twenty-three man squad called up were under the age of twenty-three. The squad named lacked experience in general, with an average of just twelve caps per player. Eight of the players called up had not played for Ireland previously, and may have the opportunity to impress for their country for the first time under the new manager.

Republic of Ireland's downfall in recent years had been a lack of goals scored, and the squad called up gave no reason to believe that may be changed. From the squad called up for September's internationals, the twenty-three players had only scored a combined twelve goals between them for the Boys In Green. Indeed, the top scorer in the squad was central defender Shane Duffy, who had three goals in thirty-three games for Ireland.

Finland (4-4-2): L Hradecky; G Kamara, J Toivio , T Sparv, T Lam (80'); R Lod, F Jensen (77'), R Eremenko (71'), L Lappalainen (71'); T Pukki, M Forss (77')
Subs Used: A Halme (71'), I Niskanen (71'), N Hamalainen (77'), J Pohjanpalo (77'), J Oksanen (80')
Manager: Markku Kanerva

Republic of Ireland (4-2-3-1): D Randolph; S Coleman (55') , J Egan , K Long , E Stevens; J Hendrick, J Cullen (50') ; D Crowley (80'), J Knight, C Robinson (66'); A Connolly (80')
Subs Used: C Hourihane (50'), M Doherty (55'), S Maguire (66'), C Ronan (80'), A Idah (80')
Manager: John O'Shea

John O'Shea's managerial debut came against an in-form Finland side that had already qualified for the upcoming European Championship finals. Finnish cult hero Teemu Pukki was tipped as the danger man, and somebody who could seriously damage Ireland's campaign. An experience starting lineup was named by O'Shea in a 4-2-3-1 shape, with a back line full of incredibly experienced players.

O'Shea's first game in charge didn't start off on the best of terms as Teemu Pukki ghosted in behind Kevin Long to head home a Roman Eremenko cross midway through the first half. Jeff Hendrick was proving to be Ireland's main creative force, as he teed up a Dan Crowley debut goal before scoring a long-range effort either side of a second Teemu Pukki goal. Following the hour mark, Teemu Pukki's class shone even more, as he scored his hat trick goal by capitalising on a poor decision from goalkeeper Darren Randolph to try win the ball in midfield. Randolph was again at fault for Pukki's fourth goal of the evening as the ball floated through his hands and into the path of a free Finnish GOAT. Helsinki experience a Pukki Party, as the five-star man scored his fifth of the game late on with a long range lob over the mistake-riddled Darren Randolph.

Republic of Ireland (3-4-1-2): G Bazunu; S Coleman, J Egan, K Long; M Doherty, J Knight (72'), C Hourihane (72'), E Stevens (60'); D McGoldrick (H/T); A Connolly, S Maguire (H/T)
Subs Used: C Ronan (H/T), C Robinson (H/T), D Cirkin (60'), J Cullen (72'), J Molumby (72')
Manager: John O'Shea

Wales (4-2-3-1): D Ward; C Roberts, C Mepham, J Rodon, B Davies (77'); E Ampadu (72') , A Ramsey (77'); H Wilson (72'), D Brooks (77'), G Bale; Kieffer Moore
Subs Used: J Allen (72'), B Woodburn (72'), N Taylor (77'), W Vaulks (77'), H Rabson-Kanu (77')
Manager: Ryan Woman Beater Giggs

Following the disappointment in Helsinki, O'Shea decided to go for a change in shape for their second September fixture against Wales. His Irish side lined up in a 3-4-1-2 formation at Thomond Park in Limerick. A debut was handed to eighteen year old prodigal goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, while captain Seamus Coleman operated on the right side of a back three.

he switch in formation brought early rewards, as Aaron Connolly scored his first senior international goal just after five minutes. However, Gareth Bale was at his brilliant best as he crossed low for Kieffer Moore to level the score midway through the first half. In a tight game, the two sides couldn't be split after full time.

The Republic of Ireland sat in third place on one point following their opening two fixtures of the group. They were predicted to finish third and look set to do so, if they can keep Bulgaria at bay.

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John O'Shea made a number of changes to his twenty-three man squad for Republic of Ireland's October internationals. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, central defender Nathan Collins, versatile midfielder Robbie Brady, defensive midfielder Allan Power and veteran striker Shane Long came into the squad, having not been included last time out.

There will be opportunities for Kelleher, Collins and Power to make their senior debuts for the Republic of Ireland, while the returns of Shane Long and Robbie Brady add goals to the side. The two had 25 senior international goals between them, as opposed to 11 between the rest of the squad.

In John O'Shea's biggest test to date, Bosnia were sure to provide difficulty to Ireland's hopes of reaching a third consecutive European Championship place. Star players Miralem Phanic, Edin Visca and Edin Dzeko were all starting for the much-fancied home side, while Ireland retained the 3-4-1-2 shape they lined up in against Wales. There was a senior international debut for young goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who had impressed for Liverpool in cup competitions in the early parts of the season. Robbie Brady's return to the squad was also a return to the starting lineup as he replaced Enda Stevens at left wing back, while veteran striker David McGoldrick partnered the young Aaron Connolly up front in a new-look attack.

Ireland were the dominant team in the first half, and David McGoldrick scored twice before the half-time break to give the Irish a very strong lead in the one-legged playoff semi final. McGoldrick's first was a towering header from a floated Aaron Connolly cross, and his second was a snap shot from a quick sliding through ball played by Jason Knight. Bosnia fought back in the second half, and Edin Visca halved his team's deficit just after the hour mark but Ireland held on to a first victory under John O'Shea, and a place in the European Championship qualification playoff final.

Ireland's win over Bosnia booked a place in the European Championship qualification playoff final next month, where they will face Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The final will be a one-legged affair, with extra time and a penalty shootout if required, and the winner will progress to next summer's European Championship finals.

Bulgara (4-2-3-1): P Iliev; Cicinho , V Antov, P Zanev (78'), A Nedyalkov; K Malinov (73') , B Tsonev (68'); T Nedelev, D Iliev, K Despodov (68'); A Galabinov (73')
Subs Used: D Yankov (68'), S Delev (68'), G Milanov (73'), I Isa (73'), V Bozhikov (78')
Manager: Yasen Petrov

Republic of Ireland (3-4-1-2): C Kelleher; S Coleman, J Egan, K Long; M Doherty (H/T), J Molumby (61'), A Power, E Stevens; D Crowley (65'); A Connolly, C Robinson (65')
Subs Used: N Collins (H/T), C Ronan (61'), J Knight (65'), S Long (65')
Manager: John O'Shea

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David McGoldrick 7'		9' Teemu Pukki
Shane Long 85'

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12/11/2020 | UEFA European Championship Playoff Final | Slovakia (H)
15/11/2020 | UEFA Nations League B Group 4 | Wales (A)
18/11/2020 | UEFA Nations League B Group 4 | Bulgaria (H)

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Nerazurri, Parrott's among my thoughts. He needs to perform at club level to get in, however.
ScottT, we are finding a way