John O'Shea

For other people named John O'Shea, see John O'Shea (disambiguation).

John O'Shea

O'Shea in September 2013
Personal information
Full nameJohn Francis O'Shea[1]
Date of birth30 April 1981
Place of birthWaterford, Ireland
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[2][3]
Playing positionDefender
Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
Sunderland
Number16
Youth career
Ferrybank AFC
Waterford Bohemians FC
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1999–2011Manchester United256(10)
2000Bournemouth (loan)10(1)
2001Royal Antwerp (loan)14(0)
2011–Sunderland98(3)
National team
2000–2002Republic of Ireland U2113(1)
2001–Republic of Ireland100(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:47, 19 October 2014 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:58, 14 November 2014 (UTC)

John Francis O'Shea /ˈʃ/ (born 30 April 1981) is an Irish footballer, who plays as a defender for Sunderland and the Republic of Ireland national football team. He is known for his versatility in playing several positions on either side of the pitch or the centre.[4]

O'Shea made his Republic of Ireland debut in 2001 against Croatia and has since gone on to make 100 appearances for his country, scoring three goals, his first in 2003 against Australia. He was part of the team that controversially lost to France in a play-off for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and went on to play in UEFA Euro 2012.

Born in Waterford, O'Shea joined Manchester United when he was 17. He spent loan spells at Bournemouth and Royal Antwerp before establishing himself in the Manchester United first team, going on to make almost 400 appearances in all competitions over 10 years. O'Shea won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three Football League Cups, the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup while at Manchester United. He joined Sunderland in July 2011.

Club career

Manchester United

O'Shea playing in the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League semi-final against Arsenal when he helped his team to the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final
O'Shea with Manchester United

Prior to joining the Manchester United academy, O'Shea played for Ferrybank AFC and Waterford Bohemians. He signed professional forms at the age of 17 and made his professional debut in 1999 against Aston Villa at Villa Park in a 3–0 Football League Cup defeat.

Following loan spells at Bournemouth and Belgian side Royal Antwerp, he returned to Manchester and began to feature in the United first team in the 2002–03 season, demonstrating versatility by playing at left-back, right-back, centre-back and central midfield during the successful 2002–03 Premier League campaign.

In 2003–04, United were without Rio Ferdinand after he began a suspension for missing a drugs test in January, and O'Shea took over from Ferdinand in central defence, helping United reach the FA Cup Final where they triumphed 3–0 over Millwall.

He displayed indifferent form in the 2004–05 season and was linked with a move away from Manchester, with Newcastle United and Liverpool being linked with the Irishman. One of the highlights of Manchester United's otherwise slightly disappointing season was the 4–2 away victory against Arsenal, in which O'Shea scored the fourth goal by chipping Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia from the edge of the 18 yard box.

An injury to Gary Neville in the 2005–06 season also gave O'Shea more first-team opportunities. He was criticised for his lacklustre performances that season, and was reportedly one of the players lambasted by United veteran Roy Keane in a controversial interview on the club's MUTV channel.

On 4 February 2007, during league game against Tottenham Hotspur, O'Shea deputised for Edwin van der Sar in goal after van der Sar was taken off the pitch for a broken nose, while Manchester United had already used all three substitutes. During this time he denied his Republic of Ireland teammate Robbie Keane a goal with a save a few minutes before full-time. Following this incident, United fans chanted "Ireland's number one" in O'Shea's honour.[5]

A month later he won over many United fans by scoring an injury time winner against Liverpool at Anfield for United in the league, having come on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney. This goal was important in United going on to regain the Premier League trophy for the 2006–07 season. He also rescued his team against Everton in one of the final games of the season, when he bundled the ball in the net after Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner fumbled a Ryan Giggs corner. United went on to win 4–2.[6] This was perhaps an even more decisive goal, as Bolton Wanderers were drawing with Chelsea at the same time and defeat would have let Chelsea back into the title race. He scored another goal from close range, in a 2–1 defeat away to Portsmouth that season, this goal came during an injury hit part of the season, where O'Shea, as a versatile player, was required to play at full back. O'Shea had a shooting accuracy of 100% and scored with 80% of his shots in the 2006–07 season.[7]

During the 2007–08 season, Manchester United used O'Shea as an emergency striker due to injury problems. His use as a striker gave him the distinction of having played in every position for Manchester United. In November 2007, O'Shea extended his contract at Manchester United, to keep him at the club until 2012. Throughout the 2007–08 season, O'Shea came off the bench several times and proved important as a utility player on the way to a European double. O'Shea captained his club for the first time, during a 2–0 home defeat to Coventry City in the League Cup Fourth Round.

Throughout the 2008–09 season, O'Shea became a regular within the team, deputising at right back because of injuries to Gary Neville and Wes Brown. On 20 January 2009, O'Shea scored his first goal of the season against Derby County in the 2nd leg of the League Cup semi-final.[8] O'Shea then started the 2009 Football League Cup Final, before being replaced by Nemanja Vidić on 76 minutes, United won the game 4–1 on penalties. On 29 April 2009, O'Shea scored the only goal of the game in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal, this set United up to go on and win in the second leg by 4–1 on aggregate.[9] O'Shea started and played the full 90 minutes in the 2009 Champions League Final 2–0 loss to Barcelona, and by many accounts was one of United's better performers on the night.[10][11][12] Sir Alex Ferguson had promised O'Shea, who was an unused substitute in the 2008 Champions League Final, a starting place in the 2009 final for his contribution to the team that season.[13]

O'Shea captained United for the second time against Birmingham City in their first game of the 2009–10 Premier League season.[14] He celebrated his 350th appearance fittingly by scoring his first league goal in over two years against Stoke City on 29 September 2009, firing in a header in a 2–0 win.[15] He captained the team for the third time in the second leg of United's 2010–11 UEFA Champions League semi final victory over Schalke 04.[16] O'Shea made 393 total appearances for Manchester United.[17]

Sunderland

On 7 July 2011, O'Shea signed a four-year contract with Sunderland, managed by former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce, who paid Manchester United an undisclosed fee for O'Shea.[18] In his first appearance for Sunderland, a friendly against Arminia Bielefeld, O'Shea picked up a hamstring injury, ruling him out for the rest of pre-season and the start of the 2011–12 campaign. O'Shea made his first competitive appearance for Sunderland on 27 August 2011 in a goalless draw against Swansea.[19] O'Shea scored his first Sunderland goal at the Stadium of Light in the 2012–13 season in a 2–1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

International career

O'Shea earned his first senior cap for the Republic of Ireland on 15 August 2001, when he came on as an 84th minute substitute at home to Croatia. His debut ended in disappointment, when he gave away a penalty in injury time, which resulted in Ireland conceding their lead, and the game ending 2–2. His versatility has earned him a place in the starting eleven. Although played in various positions during last few qualifying campaigns, he has made the defensive slot his own, mainly in central defence with Richard Dunne and at right back on occasion or filling in for injured players. On 19 August 2003, O'Shea scored his first international goal as he netted Ireland's first in a 2–1 victory over Australia.[20]

During the 2010 World Cup qualifying, O'Shea was ever present in the starting line-up for eight of the 10 games. On 1 April 2009, in the game against Italy, he was elbowed in the forehead by Giampaolo Pazzini, who earned the record for the fastest sending off in Italian football history. After receiving treatment for the bleeding, O'Shea continued playing all 90 minutes.[21] O'Shea was scheduled to face Spain on 11 June 2013, in The Bronx, New York City at Yankee Stadium but was ruled out of the game over the sudden death of his uncle Jimmy O'Leary in Waterford, Ireland.

O'Shea in action for the Republic of Ireland against Austria, September 2013.

On 14 October 2014, O'Shea winning his 100th cap, scored the equalising goal with the last kick of the match, in a 1–1 draw against Germany at Gelsenkirchen, in a Euro 2016 qualifier.[22]

International goals

Result lists Republic of Ireland's goal first
John O'Shea – Ireland goals
DateVenueOpponentResultCompetition
19 August 2003Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland Australia2–1Friendly
15 October 2013Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland Kazakhstan3–1FIFA World Cup Qualification
14 October 2014Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany Germany1–1Euro 2016 qualifying

Personal life

O'Shea married long-term partner Yvonne Manning, 27, in the Lady Chapel in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland on 8 June 2010.[23]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 5 April 2015.[24]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[nb 1] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United 1999–2000 0010000010
2000–01 000020000020
2001–02 9000103000130
2002–03 320103016000520
2003–04 33260207010492
2004–05 23241405010373
2005–06 34120417000472
2006–07 324501011100495
2007–08 28020106010380
2008–09 300406112120542
2009–10 15100002010181
2010–11 20040106010320
Total 256102812627527039315
Bournemouth (loan) 1999–2000 1010000101
Royal Antwerp (loan) 2000–01 14000140
Sunderland 2011–12 2905000340
2012–13 3420020362
2013–14 3312070421
2014–15 3104020370
Total 12731201101493
Career total 407144013727527056719

International

Republic of Ireland senior team
YearAppsGoals
200110
200210
200391
200480
200590
200670
200780
200870
2009100
201080
201160
2012100
2013111
201451
Total1003

[25]

Honours

Club

Manchester United[26]
Sunderland A.F.C.

International

Republic of Ireland

Individual

Notes

  1. Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

References

  1. "Premier League Statistics 2009/2010" (PDF). PremierLeague.com. Premier League. p. 12. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  2. "John-O'Shea". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  3. "Player Profile: John O'Shea". premierleague.com. Premier League. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  4. "Player Profile". espn.com. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  5. Thompson, Gemma (4 February 2007). "O'Shea proud of keeper stint". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  6. Hughes, Ian (28 April 2007). "Everton 2–4 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  7. Wall, David; Dunn, Alex. "United's midfield options". Sky Sports (BSkyB). Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  8. Bevan, Chris (20 January 2009). "Man Utd 4–2 Derby (4–3 agg)". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  9. McNulty, Phil (29 April 2009). "Man Utd 1–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  10. Taylor, Daniel (27 May 2009). "Barcelona v Manchester United, Champions League final player ratings". The Guardian (London: Guardian News and Media). Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  11. White, Duncan (28 May 2009). "Manchester United v Barcelona: Ratings". The Daily Telegraph (London: Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  12. "Champions League final: Manchester United player ratings". Independent.ie (Independent News & Media). 28 May 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  13. Ornstein, David (21 May 2009). "O'Shea eager to secure Euro glory". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  14. "O'Shea happy with competition". Sky Sports (BSkyB). 18 August 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  15. Cheese, Caroline (26 September 2009). "Saturday football as it happened". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 26 September 2009.
  16. Jolly, Richard (4 May 2011). "Gibson the unlikely hero". ESPN FC (espnfc.com). Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  17. "Manchester United defender John O'Shea undergoing Sunderland medical". Manchester Evening News (Trinity Mirror plc). 7 July 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  18. "Man Utd's John O'Shea signs four-year Sunderland deal". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 7 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  19. "Swansea 0–0 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 27 August 2011.
  20. "Ireland 2–1 Australia: Late comeback". ESPN Soccernet (ESPN Internet Ventures). 19 August 2003. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  21. Doyle, Paul (1 April 2009). "Italy v Republic of Ireland – live!". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 1 April 2009. Giampaolo Pazzini and John O'Shea: the aftermath. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
  22. "Republic of Ireland’s John O’Shea grabs late draw to shock Germany". Guardian. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  23. Dunne, Hannah-Louise (9 June 2010). "WAG of honour: Coleen Rooney attends wedding of Manchester United defender John O'Shea". Mail Online (London: Associated Newspapers). Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  24. Endlar, Andrew. "John O'Shea". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  25. John O'Shea at National-Football-Teams.com
  26. "John O'Shea: Honours And Awards". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  27. "John O'Shea named Ireland player of the year". RTE Sport. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to John O'Shea.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Lee Cattermole
Sunderland captain
2013–present
Incumbent