JAY O’SHEA HELPED Paul Cook’s Chesterfield to help clinch the League Two title, on Saturday, and dedicated the success to a friend who recently passed away.
Jay O'Shea / Twitter
Jay O'Shea / Twitter / Twitter
O’Shea’s lively contribution helped Chesterfield bounce back from 1-0 down, against Fleetwood, and secure a 2-1 win that meant they would take home the League Two title. The midfielder whipped in a cross that led to Sam Hird’s headed equaliser before Gary Roberts netted the winner.
Cook, the former Sligo Rovers boss, had already secured promotion for the Spireites the previous weekend by beating Burton Albion. O’Shea scored his team’s second in that match.
The 25-year-old has previously played with Galway and Middlesbrough, and earned six Ireland U21 appearances. He was a member of St Joseph’s Boys AFC [from Sallynoggin], as a teenager, with his friend David Spain. Spain tragically passed away in December of last year. The 26-year-old had returned home from Australia so he could spend Christmas with his family but was fatally stabbed, following a party, in the early hours of St Stephens’ Day.
O’Shea dedicated a goal he scored against Bury to his late friend back on 11 January, two days after Spain was laid to rest.
Cook told BBC Radio Sheffield post-match, “Football is all about the players, and it always will be. I can stand here today and take all the plaudits like I’m a top manager, a good manager, but I’m very lucky to have good players here.
“I’d thank everyone because football management is tough, and days like today are very, very good. I’m proud of the whole club in general.”
Chesterfield also have Irish players Eoin Doyle, Jimmy Ryan and Daniel Kearns on their books while midfielder Jamie Devitt is currently out on loan at Morecambe.
- First published at 23:05 on Saturday, 3 May
Always remember him in Galway uniteds glory days with Russell and vinny faherty. He also played for Birmingham and played in old Trafford
Got a welcome to the premier-league shoulder off Patrice zebra and ended up on his ass. First and only appearance in the premier league. Disappointing as I thought he was going to go places when he left Galway.
Buuuhh……buuuhh……booooo
Well done Paul Cook. Sligo Rovers played some brilliant football while you were there.
Galway United legend
I believe the President is also a big fan of Galway Utd and speaks highly of Jay’s days with the club :) great city Galway enjoyed a visit down there once :)
What a gent
Who cares if he played in shit ole trafford,dump
Lol