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08th Nov 2017

Ireland will be just fine on the goal front after Paul McShane wonder strike in training

Pick that out.

JOE

You all laughed when he was named in the squad, WHO’S LAUGHING NOW?

The countdown is well and truly on now until Ireland face Denmark in the first of two crucial World Cup play-off games to see who books their place in Russia for 2018.

Ireland are currently training and while not much is being leaked to the public, the FAI did release this little beauty late on Tuesday night.

Paul McShane currently has 33 caps for the national side but after his venomous, half-volleyed shot in training plus Ireland’s difficulty with scoring goals, he might just be called up for number 34.

McShane receives the ball from the right-hand side of the pitch and lets the ball trickle onto his left foot before letting it bounce twice in front of him.

He pulls back the left peg and the minute it’s released, you just know that it’s heading for the top bin and although there is never any doubt, you still can’t help but gasp at the sight.

Fans that were near the pitch also let out a little ‘oh’ and followed it with a round of applause as the ball hit the back of the net.

Everyone was extremely impressed by the defender’s citeog kick including the FAI who posted the clip on social media and said: “How about this for a strike today from Paul McShane #COYBIG.”

McShane, believe it or not, has been in and out of the Ireland set up for over a decade now. He made his debut in 2006 against the Czech Republic in the 2008 European Championship Qualifying campaign.

He was a back-up player in Trapattoni’s squad for the Euros in 2012 and was a stand-by player for Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane’s squad in Euro 2016.

If McShane’s magnificent screamer isn’t appearing for you in the article, you can find it here.