Hero O´Shea lauds Irish effort

Republic of Ireland captain John O’Shea hailed a superb team performance after his last-gasp goal held Germany to a 1-1 draw.

Toni Kroos’ 71st-minute strike looked set to give the world champions victory in Tuesday’s Euro 2016 Group D qualifying match in Gelsenkirchen.

Yet O’Shea had other ideas on the night of his 100th cap and tucked home a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time.

“The manager put me forward with a couple of minutes to go and thankfully I was able to stick it away,” the experienced defender told Sky Sports.

“It’s big credit to the lads in front of me because the way we played, in the first half especially, was very dogged, very determined and [we showed] little bits of quality too.

“We were unlucky not to get the equaliser just before with Wes [Hoolahan]. I think it was a great tackle by one of the Germany lads [Erik Durm].

“It was a big, big performance and one with little bits of quality when we had to come out and play. That’s very pleasing.”

Ireland fought hard throughout the contest at the Veltins Arena, but O’Shea admitted he feared the worst when Kroos crowned a fine individual showing by rifling home off the base of the post.

“Once they get that goal it’s a big blow to us because we’re looking maybe towards the end of the game to catch them on the counter attack,” said the Sunderland player.

“They got that goal with 20 minutes to go so we obviously had to come out a bit more, take some chances.

“Throughout the night I think James [McClean] and Aiden [McGeady] caused them problems so that’s a very pleasing aspect.”

O’Shea added of his late goal: “It was a very special moment – we have a fantastic spirit, we didn’t want to come off having lost with people thinking we just did OK.”

Manager Martin O’Neill was only too happy to lead the plaudits for O’Shea.

He told Sky Sports: “You couldn’t have written that script for him, I’m absolutely delighted for him. He’s had 100 caps now and that’s no mean feat.”