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12 reasons why John O'Shea is a complete and utter legend

It’s the Ireland international defender’s 34th birthday today.

1. He once nutmegged Luis Figo

nuts-7

2. He’s actually a pretty good goalkeeper

AlexUtdCR7 / YouTube

3. In a game featuring Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dennis Bergkamp, he still managed to outshine them all with this sublime finish

sagar desai / YouTube

4. There’s also the small matter of THAT goal against Germany

tomek rugala / YouTube

5. And he managed to upset Hitler in the process

Eamonn Russell / YouTube

6. In general, he’s put in his fair share of superb performances for Ireland

Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2010 - Play Offs - Second Leg - France v Republic of Ireland - Stade de France Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

7. Just to prove he’s human, he hit THE worst shot in the history of football

Chris Berisford / YouTube

8. He doesn’t let fame go to his head though — at the end of the day, he’s just one of the lads

Soccer - Manchester United Training Session - Stade Gerland PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

9. He has a knack for scoring crucial goals

appshank / YouTube

10. He boasts some mean soccer skills

futbolsoccer90 / YouTube

11. And his Wes Brown knowledge is better than yours

Sunderland AFC / YouTube

12. Sometimes, he even gets mistaken for Brown

CR7 TheBoss / YouTube

Quiz: Nigel Pearson wants to know.. are you an ostrich?>

Terry is now joint-top-scoring defender in PL history while an Irishman is 3rd>

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    Mute Graham Young
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    Apr 8th 2022, 11:43 AM

    There won’t be a dry leg in London tonight

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Apr 8th 2022, 11:51 AM

    @Graham Young: theres always one.

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    Mute Rocky Raccoon
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    Apr 8th 2022, 11:59 AM

    @Chris Mc: Ah lighten up Chris. I’m sure Sean would find it funny.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Apr 8th 2022, 1:12 PM

    @Rocky Raccoon: in fairness it was funny.

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    Mute TL55
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    Apr 8th 2022, 1:59 PM

    @Chris Mc: 220 seem to agree with the one!

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    Mute Michael Kehoe
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    Apr 8th 2022, 6:50 PM

    @Graham Young: nasty

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    Mute Patrick Kehoe
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    Apr 8th 2022, 10:33 AM

    Legend of the game best of luck in the future Sean

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    Mute Niall Gannon
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    Apr 8th 2022, 2:23 PM

    @Patrick Kehoe: The tracks have come off the “Tullow Tank” A great player

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    Mute Harry O'Callaghan
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    Apr 8th 2022, 10:39 AM

    Favourite player growing up. One of the reasons I got it into rugby. I feel like he Revolutionised the backrow position.

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    Mute Ultan Corcoran
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    Apr 8th 2022, 10:56 AM

    @Harry O’Callaghan: Same here amazingly. There was so much he brought to the game that made him a pleasure to watch. All the best to him in retirement.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Apr 8th 2022, 7:53 PM

    @Harry O’Callaghan: In his pomp, ball in hand and getting a head of steam up ,it just was so unfair to the opposition, he blew them away Lomuesque. Thanks for the memories SOB

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    Mute O'Brien Michael
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    Apr 8th 2022, 10:28 AM

    Enjoy your retirement old chap

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    Mute Gally Had
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    Apr 8th 2022, 10:36 AM

    A proper animal

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    Mute David Abbott
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    Apr 8th 2022, 11:13 AM

    Can’t remember the game exactly , I think vs France , he cleared 2 players out of a ruck in a ridiculous display of power and timing, such an athlete!!!

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    Mute David Abbott
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    Apr 8th 2022, 11:16 AM

    @David Abbott: found it
    https://youtu.be/XVUHFFUvjKk

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Apr 8th 2022, 11:22 AM

    @David Abbott: There was 3 players in that pile he moved so effortlessly.

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    Mute bread of heaven
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    Apr 8th 2022, 12:25 PM

    Two of the players are in the ruck sideways, i.e. in a weak position to withstand lateral force, and the third pulls away. Also, there’s the question of a potentially dangerous landing.

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Apr 8th 2022, 12:36 PM

    @bread of heaven: Did you only start looking at rugby yesterday?

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    Mute Paddy Kennedy
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    Apr 8th 2022, 12:37 PM

    @bread of heaven: You really are poisonous.

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    Mute Lad_The
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    Apr 8th 2022, 12:53 PM

    @bread of heaven: bitter taste off that heavenly bread SOB is recognised as a legend wirldwide. It’s a super clearout adn legal even by today’s standards.

    You’re a legend between you and your keyboard.

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    Mute Pete Slattery ✏️
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    Apr 8th 2022, 12:46 PM

    Proper world-class. If you ever make an all-time Ireland 15, he’s right up there.

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    Mute Declan Moran
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    Apr 8th 2022, 12:57 PM

    Absolute legend. Wishing you well in retirement and on the farm in Carlow Sean :)

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    Mute Pat O'Leary
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    Apr 8th 2022, 2:14 PM

    Always remember the game v Australia in RWC 2011 / think the Aussies only thought they had to turn up to win. Pretty much the whole Irish team played out of their skins that night but specifically remember SOB being in the Aussies’ faces / refusing to take a backward step. Brilliant servant to the cause / best of luck with retirement.

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    Mute Julian
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    Apr 8th 2022, 12:34 PM

    Absolute wrecking ball of a player! Go well in retirement!

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    Mute John John
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    Apr 8th 2022, 1:55 PM

    Legend. I remember when Rocky left thinking Leinster will never have a player like him again and then along comes an young Irish kid that looked like he could be even better than Rocky. Unreal player.

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    Apr 8th 2022, 2:51 PM

    Retirement party in cassidys no need for toilets

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    Mute Noel Martin
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    Apr 8th 2022, 2:15 PM

    Wasn’t Sean affectionately nicknamed ‘The Tullow Tank’

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    Mute Michael Uzice
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    Apr 8th 2022, 6:45 PM

    I used to love reading his stats , absolute beast of man in defence and a bulldozer in the carry . Shame he got injured so much . He’ll always be remembered in Ireland as one of the greats . Good luck farming Sean .

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    Mute Tom kenny
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    Apr 8th 2022, 9:08 PM

    Swatting away Ben young’s was enjoyable, seriously good player

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    Mute John O Reilly
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    Apr 8th 2022, 2:05 PM
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    Mute Ian Compton
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    Apr 8th 2022, 6:46 PM

    Well pissed about that news.

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    Mute Matt Rogers
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    Apr 9th 2022, 3:07 AM

    An absolute beast of a rugby player who preferred running through or over the opposition defence rather than around it which he was also very capable of doing.

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