John O’Shea has had an illustrious career and seeing as it’s his 33rd birthday today, we decided to have a look back at some of the Waterford man’s finest moments.
Goalkeeping against Spurs, 2007
Sheasy has always been regarded as a fine utility player, especially from his time at Manchester United. He played in loads of positions, but this was probably the strangest one. In February 2007, with United leading 4-0 at Spurs, their ‘keeper Edwin Van Der Saar had to go off with a broken nose. Up stepped O’Shea to go between the sticks and as you can see (and as Robbie Keane found out) he wasn’t too shabby at all.
Beautiful chip against Arsenal, 2006
Back in 2006, at the height of the Manchester United/Arsenal rivalry (this was the match where Keane and Vieira exchanged pleasantries in the tunnel) the sides met at Highbury in a fiercely contested game. Arsenal led 2-0 at one stage, but United roared back to win 4-2. This goal by O’Shea was the final goal, the icing on the cake and a demonstration that the Déise’s finest had skills, scoring a goal befitting of a world class striker… even if he seemed very surprised that it actually went in.
Injury-time winner away to Liverpool at the Kop, 2007
In 2007, with United in the hunt for the title, they had a huge match away to fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield. Liverpool dominated the game, but in the 91st minute, with the game deadlocked at 0-0, Cristiano Ronaldo sent a free-kick into the Liverpool box. It caused mayhem, ultimately leading to a chance for O’Shea, who slammed it into the roof of the net giving United the win and a precious three points.
First goal for Ireland, 2003
John O’Shea has played 93 times for the Republic of Ireland and has scored just two goals. The first one came in a friendly at home to Australia, when O’Shea equalised the opening goal from the Socceroos and Ireland went on to win 2-1.
Nutmegging Luis Figo, 2003
Manchester United faced Real Madrid at Old Trafford in a Champions League quarter-final. Madrid had a galaxy of superstars playing for them, including the brilliant Portuguese player Luis Figo, but O’Shea didn’t care much for such lofty reputations as he nutmegged him as casually as you like. Tekkers!
That shot against West Ham, 2010
It wasn’t all glory and goals for O’Shea. Like a lot of us, he’s hit some stinkers. This shot against West Ham was so bad, it featured as a segment on Soccer AM. If anything, he’s caught it a little too well…..or something. Try not to laugh.
That face against Adebayor and Sherwood, 2014
Sunderland were on the end of a drubbing from Spurs at White Hart Lane with Adebayor leading the line for the hosts. He ran to the bench to salute a goal with his boss Sherwood, but our John isn’t one bit impressed at the smugness on show. Not one bit at all.
Happy Birthday John.
