Irish defender nets new deal

August 30, 2009

With the transfer window coming to an end, it will be a busy a 48 hours coming up across Europe. Whilst most of the big clubs seemed to have put the chequebook away until January, there will no doubt be a flurry of activity for the teams looking to push towards the European spots and even more so, those looking to avoid relegation.

Two Irish centre halves appear to found themselves new clubs. Paul McShane sealed a deal bringing him back to Hull City, where he spent most of last season on loan.

McShane’s star has fallen dramatically in the past few seasons. After a memorable debut for Ireland and marking the giant 6ft 8inch frame of Czech Republic’s Jan Koller out of a game at Lansdowne Road, he has become somewhat of a liability in the Irish defence.

His performances have become error strewn and he appears to suffer from severe losses of concentration. At times he can appear over eager and lunge into late tackles. While on other occasions, he can seem to let whole games pass him by.

McShane, who was once heralded by Sir Alex Ferguson as one of Manchester United’s centre halves of the future, then moved to Sunderland under the Roy Keane revolution. When things didn’t work out there he spent the majority of last season on loan with Hull, a team who narrowly avoided relegation on the last day, it is a sign of how far he has fallen.

Hopefully the permanent move will give him some stability, however Hull already look in deep trouble. Although he will be joining up with fellow Irishmen, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Kilbane and Caleb Folan, it could bode well for team bonding.

It could also however, be work the opposite way and Ireland could be left with four recently relegated and depressed players on a plane to Johannesburg. Which isn’t good for any squad morale.

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