McShane switched on for more surprises

The Wicklow man is in Poland, training with the squad ahead of Sunday's Group C opener against Croatia while the man he replaced, Wolves player Kevin Foley, endures an unexpected holiday.

"I was supposed to be away in Spain on holiday but that got cancelled pretty quickly when I got the call from the FAI and I was delighted to be called in, it was just a case of packing my boots and off I went." McShane told the Herald.

"I am here now and all that went on last week is in the past. I knew coming in that there would be a bit of a fuss given the way I was brought into the squad.

"It was hard on Kevin, what happened last week. I know that as I've had my fair share of knocks in football myself, but Kevin missing out on the squad was a tough one and I still feel for him. But I am here now and I just have to concentrate on doing the job to the best of my ability.

unexpected

"A few weeks ago I didn't expect to be here, it all just happened so quickly and I'm just looking forward to the tournament now," added the defender.

McShane is certain to start the tournament on the bench but he hopes to get some game-time in before Ireland's involvement ends.

"What happened with me last week showed that things can change very quickly and you have to be prepared to step in if needed," he says.

"You have to be mentally switched on at all times and be ready to come on if the manager needs you, or to come into the starting XI if you get a chance.

"The Hungary game on Monday night underlined just how important the subs can be, you had Stephen Hunt clearing the ball off the line to stop a certain goal so that shows how subs can impact on the game."