John O’Shea – journeyman or genius? No doubt that would be a hotly debated topic in any bar. But the evidence shows that he has continued to silence his critics, with ongoing success and a growing honours list in the English Premier League.
And even if you’re not a fan of Manchester United, there has to be respect, however grudging, for what he has achieved.
O’Shea may not be the most skilful player in the world, but the odd exception aside, it takes more than one characteristic to make a genius. Reliability, respect and image are all important requirements these days, and the Waterford man seems to have them in abundance.
Born 30 April 1981, he started his soccer career with Ferrybank AFC at the age of eight. Val Power at the club says: “He was always a nice lad and had the utmost respect for everyone around him. He always listened to good advice, especially from his father Jim, who retired only three years ago as chairman after nearly 40 years with the club.
“Others to have a big influence were Slyvie Lynch, who was right-back in the ’60s and ’70s during Waterford United’s glory days, and Kevin Moran, who made sure he completed his Leaving Certificate before going across the water.”
O’Shea has never forgotten where he came from, and anytime he is at home he likes to drop into his old club. “His father still pops in and his brother Alan still plays with us so he often calls in to mingle with the young kids and try to pass on his own advice,” says Power. “He also likes to meet his old mates, and like anybody, go for a few pints and catch up.”
Before opting for Old Trafford, O’Shea had trials with Queens Park Rangers, Glasgow Celtic and also with his boyhood heroes at Liverpool ¬– a tenure that still gets him a lot of stick when he is out with the lads at home.
His decision to join Man United was simply Alex Ferguson. Power says: “Without a doubt it was Ferguson who influenced him the most, with a little help from Kevin [Moran]. There was no Roy Keane factor involved, it was purely Ferguson and the impression he made upon him.”
O’Shea joined The Red Devils on 3 August 1998 aged 17, making his debut a year later against Aston Villa, but it was the ’02/’03 season when he really began to make an impact.
The Waterford man’s roll of honour makes impressive reading: five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three League Cups, four Community Shield, one Champions League medal and a Fifa Club World Cup win.
During his time at Old Trafford he made over 390 appearances in all competitions and scored 15 goals. He is the first Manchester United player to play in every position, including goalkeeper, and he’s also the first Waterford man to win the Champions League.
A regular for Ireland and one of the first on any team sheet when fit, he has notched up 70 caps, scoring once.
A three-year contract extension signed in November 2007 should have kept him in Manchester until next year, but after 13 years it was time for a move, and a four-year contract and possibly the captain’s armband with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light were too good to turn down. So this season brings a new beginning for the Irishman, in a joint transfer deal with teammate Wes Brown.
It was a tremendous achievement to survive as long as he did at such a competitive club. Indeed, he once said that “to leave Manchester United would be a step down in my career”.
Life with the Black Cats may bring a new challenge, but it will prove very difficult to match his current haul of silverware. Nevertheless, it would be harsh for any soccer fan to label O’Shea a journeyman. He might be more genteel than genius, but certainly he is a great ambassador for the game and his achievements are up there with the best of them.
