Dara O'Shea sees reasons for optimism despite defeat

Dara O'Shea is convinced the Republic of Ireland have reasons to be cheerful despite Portugal bringing a difficult season to a bruising conclusion.

Ireland went down 3-0 to the Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portuguese in Aveiro on Tuesday evening as Roberto Martinez’s men completed their preparations for the Euro 2024 finals in style.

By contrast, their victims remain in a state of flux with former head coach Stephen Kenny’s successor still to be appointed seven months after his departure after John O’Shea took interim charge in the last two windows.

But asked what he made of concern back at home over the national team’s plight, Burnley defender Dara O’Shea said: "I’d say, 'don’t worry’. There’s a lot of positives in this squad. Obviously right now there is a lot of uncertainty around Irish football, and what way it’s going, with who’s in charge.

"John has been amazing since he’s come in. The lads have really bought into what he’s brought, and obviously his career as a player was unbelievable and lots of lads – myself included – look up to him. As a manager, he’s been amazing. I think there’s a lot of good things we’re working on.

"The result against Hungary was great for us. Especially at home, we want to be winning games at the Aviva, so to win that game was important.

"We always knew this was going to be a tough ask, away to Portugal before they go to the Euros. We’ve got a lot to look forward to, this group is still building and hopefully we continue on."

Last week’s 2-1 win over the Hungarians was the only one in former Manchester United defender John O’Shea’s temporary reign, although there is a measure of popular support for him to take over on a permanent basis with an appointment scheduled to be made before September’s