the defender speaks to RedWeb
Joe Shaughnessy helped the Republic of Ireland Under-21s to an impressive 3-0 friendly victory over the Netherlands last night. Joe came on at half time and played the second 45, turning in an excellent performance. Millwall striker Aiden O’Brien scored twice before the break, firing his side ahead after 10 minutes and then increasing their advantage eight minutes before half-time. Wolves midfielder Anthony Forde added a third when he converted a 57th-minute penalty.
Joe told RedWeb “It was a big result even although it was only a friendly game. It was a very encouraging performance.
“I came on in the second half when we had the lead. I played at right back. In the second half the Dutch kept the ball but they kept it in front of us. The second half was more about positioning. I had to concentrate on my positional play and my defence and worry less about getting forward all the time. It was good very experience doing that against good players. They did not really break us down at all.
“I quite enjoy playing right back. I am now used to the position and feel comfortable as I have played something like the last 12 games there. Compared with playing centre half, there is so much more you can do on the ball and you can get forward. Hopefully I can keep progressing in that role and you never know that might be my long term position. I would be happy to play there.
“We have a really good squad at that age group. We had a good squad at U19 level and reached the semi finals of the European Championships so a lot of the current U21 squad are players who have stepped up from the 19s. There were only two boys I had not played with before. Everyone knows each other so there is a good spirit in the camp.
“This is the start of the 2015 qualifying campaign, so although it was only a friendly it was an encouraging result.It was the first time we have all been together. Our first game competitive game is against the Faroe Islands in August. Hallur Hansson and Gilli S?rensen are in their squad so it will be nice to see them again.
“Most of the players in the squad are plying their trade in England. Most are playing for sides in the English Championship or in League One. There are a few lads who are at Premier League sides. Most of the boys are playing regular first team football. I knew for myself to get into the squad I would have to be doing the same at Aberdeen. Even some of the guys in the EPL are playing regularly because they are on loan at teams in Division One or Two.
“Everyone in the team, the manager Noel King and the players, were aware that I have been playing for the Aberdeen first team. Our last three games have been on TV so they have all been able to watch me. It has given the coaches a chance to have a good look at me.Aberdeen gets quite a lot of exposure in Ireland. Everyone knows that it is one of the biggest clubs. A lot of people keep an eye out for the result because we have Irish players from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland here.”
