JOHN O’SHEA HAS this afternoon joined an illustrious list of players who have made 400 Premier League appearances as he captains Sunderland in their crunch clash against Watford.
The Ireland international becomes the 32nd player to reach the landmark and follows compatriots Shay Given and Richard Dunne to make 400 top-flight appearances.
Sunderland have enjoyed a mini-revival under Sam Allardyce but remain in the red zone with just three wins from 15 outings.
So today’s game at the Stadium of Light against high-flying Watford is one the Black Cats will have targeted, but they’ve got off to the worst possible start.
Odion Ighalo has given the visitors an early lead with his 10th goal of the season.
Elsewhere, Shane Long leads the Southampton line at Crystal Palace, where Damien Delaney starts for the hosts, while Glenn Whelan is included in the Stoke team for their visit to West Ham.
It’s no coincidence that among the standout players this season are players returning from the UK – Mandriou, Byrne and Parkhouse.
The league can continue to nurture and produce talent going forward. It’s not a flash in the pan.
It has its problems but talented young footballers is not one of them.
With all due respect the chap is a Northern Irish player … what is the relevance or point of the article. No disrespect to him but he isn’t ours he is an NI player.
@DB: I presume this is an all island app. It covers lots of stuff from across the border. He plays for Derry city which is situated across the border but plays in the league of Ireland. Don’t be getting too worried about it
@DB: because he plays in the LOI and is as Irish as you.
@Baz Harkin: while I don’t agree with the initial post, I don’t agree with your retort. He plays for Northern Ireland. He has the option to play for Ireland which he has not exercised. He is not as Irish as someone who would exercise that option if they had the opportunity.
@Baz Harkin: Not that I agree but the courts ruled recently that those born in the North of this country are indeed British citizens and not Irish.
@Padraig Corcoran: if you don’t agree then why post it? That decision is wrong and will be challenged. As it says inside the Irish passport and written and agreed on in the good Friday agreement anyone born on the island of Ireland is Irish.
@EnKy: he’s played for the north up to under 21 level same as James McClean and Shane Duffy does that mean they aren’t ‘Irish’ either? . So by your logic is Eoin Morgan Irish or English?
@EnKy: also look at our under 21 side it’s full of great attacking options he’s probably looked at that and decided he would stand a far better chance getting international experience playing for the north.
@Baz Harkin: Surely I can bring up something I might disagree with in principle but can still be used to make a point.
@Baz Harkin: What a way to exercise one’s patriotism…
@EnKy: what’s more patriotic than denying a young man his identity based solely on which under age football team he represents
@EnKy: What a mad post. Are you suggesting that playing for Northern Ireland means you don’t have the right to Irish identity? Is Irishness only afforded to those from the south? Or those from the north who are good enough at football to represent the south?
What’s his nationality then – is he British? Or northern Irish? Do you therefore call yourself southern Irish or just Irish?
What’s paddy McCourt’s nationality?
I’ve resigned myself to the post Celtic tiger generation knowing and caring little about the north, but to have to listen to people claim we’re not Irish because we might represent the jurisdiction created by you lot selling us down the river is hard to take
@JarvisOFlaherterahry: well said!!
@JarvisOFlaherterahry: offence was not meant. Northern Ireland is Ireland all 32 counties are Ireland . But anyone who thinks that NI football team represents or wants anything Irish has never been to Windsor park match day never seen the Para or paramilitary flags or never heard the anti Fenian chants. The football team play god save the queen as their anthem.This is their right but that’s all I meant Btw The james Mc Cleans of this world have put up with more abuse because of their Irish nationalism and I have nothing but admiration for them. Anton rogan Neil Lennon booed and death threats because of their religion is the history of IFA supporters
@DB: so would you regard Neil Lennon as Irish seeing as he played for NI
@Eamonn O Connell: yes 100% absolutely of course. But wish he had played for Republic.
Its a pity people can’t take the article for what it is without going all geo political on it, I hope the young lad does well at whatever level or whichever country he plays for