O'Shea named captain

Last updated : 14 May 2007 By Paul Jennings
Manchester United defender John O'Shea will be Captain for the Republic of Ireland in the end-of-season friendly internationals against Ecuador and Bolivia. O'Shea and Kevin Kilbane were the only senior players to be named in the squad for the trip to the United States.

And the Waterford native will assume the captaincy in the absence of both captain Robbie Keane and vice-captain Shay Given, who are among a large group of senior players to be exempt from the games.

Staunton said: "Kevin Kilbane could easily have been captain but John will thrive on the responsibility. He's finished the season well, is very dependable and has done well for me over the past few games."