Dara O'Shea stepped in as Republic of Ireland captain for the last international window in place of the injured Nathan Collins
Dara O'Shea stepped in as Republic of Ireland captain for the last international window in place of the injured Nathan Collins
Republic of Ireland defender Dara O'Shea said he is "proud" of how he and his team-mates came through a trying October international window.
During a four-game Nations League schedule, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side lost away to Kosovo and drew at home to Austria - who they are preparing to face in return fixtures - but it was two games against Israel which tested their resolve.
O'Shea stepped in as captain in the absence of injured skipper Nathan Collins and the 27-year-old acknowledged it "was a tough situation to be in" as they faced Israel in two games on neutral territory.
The first of those resulted in a 3-0 victory for the Irish in Hungary, a game that looked in doubt the previous day when training was delayed as players took a vote on whether to play - amid protests over the Israel-Gaza war - with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu making himself unavailable for selection.
The sides drew 1-1 in the second meeting in Serbia and, while the saga proved a challenge for all within the Republic of Ireland squad, O'Shea - who missed the second game for personal reasons - paid tribute to his team-mates for the support he received as stand-in skipper.
"I think I was quite lucky, I am really proud to be part of the group, with some great people in it," said the Ipswich Town captain.
"Even the players playing now as well, they are great leaders themselves. I never felt I was fully alone in having to do anything
"There were always people around me. I always keep level-headed, I don't get too high with the highs or too low with the lows."
He added: "Of course it was a difficult time, it was a time that I had to learn stuff about myself, how I was going to react to things. But I think as a group we did excellently.
"It was a tough situation to be in, but we overcame it as best we could. And I am really proud of the group and the staff."
'Great to have Collins and Coleman back'
Image source, InphoImage caption,Seamus Coleman has been without a club since leaving Everton at the end of last season
Seamus Coleman has been without a club since leaving Everton at the end of last season
Collins is back to lead the team for Saturday's trip to face Austria in Linz and the final League B3 game at home to Kosovo on Tuesday (both 19:45 GMT).
Also part of the squad is Seamus Coleman, who has taken on a 'hybrid role' despite not being named in manager Hallgrimsson's official 24-man squad.
"It's great to have them [Collins and Coleman] back," O'Shea continued.
"It would have been great if they were there in the last camp as well, but we had some really good people in that last camp who were doing great things.
"Nathan's the captain, so it's always great to have him back in. Seamus' knowledge is so, so valuable to us. I think we are a stronger group when we have them two with us."
Coleman has been without a club since leaving Everton at the end of last season, following 17 years with the Toffees.
The 38-year-old defender recently said he is considering retirement but Republic of Ireland assistant coach John O'Shea is delighted to have the Donegal man around the squad.
"It's us helping Seamus and Seamus helping us," O'Shea said of Coleman's role on the training pitch.
"To see the impact he's having, the quality that remains in his ability and the driving and pushing he's doing for everyone in the group has been good to see. Not much has changed."