MARTIN O’NEILL HAS revealed that a conservation between himself and John O’Shea prompted the Ireland defender to put off any immediate thoughts of retiring from international football.
Irish football legends Robbie Keane and Shay Given announced their respective retirements from international football following Euro 2016, and many expected 35-year-old O’Shea to do likewise.
However, it seems that O’Shea will continue on for now, as Ireland aim to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“I spoke to John. I said that there’s still room for him here as a player. He’s one year left of his contract at club level.
If he was thinking about retiring, I wanted him to have second thoughts about it, because I still believe his particular influence around the place is very strong.
“The younger players have benefited from that (influence). I still believe John has something to offer for us in every capacity.
“I think on the strength of that (conversation), John thought ‘let’s see how it goes from here and take it on’.
I’d bracket John alongside Robbie (Keane) in terms of his influence around the place. It’s in a different manner completely to Robbie but the same sort of influence.”
O’Shea and Seamus Coleman are the two most likely candidates to take over as permanent team captain once Keane bids farewell to international football against Oman at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow night.
However, on the subject of the captaincy, O’Neill wasn’t willing to reveal too much, saying: “I have something in mind, and I’ll let you know (at a later point).”
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People can laugh at Davy as much as they like but he’s done well at Waterford, Clare and now Wexford. Credit where it’s due. Delighted for Wexford today.
@Sean Healy: he did not do well with Waterford
@Ole dan tucker: won a munster title with them and got them to an all Ireland final. He did well.
@Ole dan tucker: Munster title and an all ireland final. Yeh he didn’t do well.
@Ole dan tucker: he won a Munster and also hit us to 2008 Liam McCarthy final. Not bad eh?
Very enjoyable game, the shooting from both sides was excellent. Well done to Wexford, O’Connor and Chin were immense for them
@Frank Scanlon: well done Wexford, well done Davy, some man.
@Frank Scanlon: well spot on Frank,fierce enjoyable,and im glad im not on my own,the experts saying twas a bad game….two points ,holy God ,Donal O’Grady is lile the boaring priest in Fr Ted..and well done Davy ,well done wexford….
@Gerry Campbell: Don’t know how anyone could say that wasnt a good game, some savage point-taking. I still think Cork would beat the pick of them but definitely a bit of Munster snobbery going on if lads are saying that was a bad match
@Gerry Campbell: how was tat a bad game was a serious game intense great scores and tight Leinster has destroyed Munster this year for enjoyment and great games get over it I the no t all about munster
@Frank Scanlon: it was the commentators saying that. Personally I didn’t agree.
Well done Davy. I would say that it is safe to say that your achievements are unmatched.
Proud of our Wexford team today . They refused to buckle, kept a clean sheet and kept their composure. Chin, Rory and Conor Mc all stood up and delivered. All of them put the shoulder to the wheel. Total team effort. Hold your heads high tonight Wexford hurlers. And massive credit to Davy in getting the players to believe in themselves. Superb manager
Laois and Westmeath joining the championship at this stage is beyond ridiculous
@Ian Hat: and Galway gone,after losing one match ,westmeath ( no offence ) still in after ,you guessed it,losing one match …..twould give an anadin a headache…
@Gerry Campbell: If Limerick lost today they would still be in the championship having lost 3 games. Mad stuff but brilliant.
@Gerry Campbell: Galway knew the layout of the championship before it started and lost out on scoring difference cos they failed to beat Carlow by as much as other teams. Westmeath and Laois also knew the layout and qualified through their competition. Would you prefer that teams who are on the lower rungs just stay there and know their place and let the big teams get on with it ??? Whining now when the rules were set out last year smacks of just being a bad loser
Brilliant team effort from Wexford. Incredible discipline, effort and energy shown by all. Every one stood up and was counted . And Chin, Rory and Conor Mc brilliant in their shooting. The minors end a 34 year wait for a Leinster on a day of days for Wexford supporters
Pure thrilled for Wexford!!! Anyone but KK
Well done Wexford fought like tigers great to see tough hard fought hurling matches! Davy’s still a hard man to like though. Honda yellow bellies!!
@Noel Kelly: Own to the bone Noel!!