Dara O'Shea

Dara Joseph O'Shea (born 4 March 1999) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Burnley and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Club career
Born in Dublin, O'Shea began his career at St. Kevin's Boys before moving to English club West Bromwich Albion. He spent the 2017–18 season on loan at Hereford. O'Shea was part of the Hereford side that won the Southern League Premier Division, winning promotion to the National League North.

He moved on loan to Exeter City in August 2018. In March 2019, he was praised by Exeter manager Matt Taylor.

On 21 December 2019, O'Shea made his first team debut for West Brom in a 1–1 home draw against Brentford. O'Shea signed a new three-year contract with West Brom on 24 January 2020. He scored his first league goal on 9 February 2020, in Albion's 2–0 away victory over Millwall.

On 20 August 2022, O'Shea captained the team for the first time in a 5–2 home victory over Hull City, scoring a goal in the game. On 10 February 2023, O'Shea made his 100th appearance for the club in a 2–0 away defeat at Birmingham City.

In June 2023 he was linked with a transfer to newly promoted Premier League club Burnley. He completed the transfer on 23 June 2023 for a transfer fee of £7 million, signing a four-year contract with the club. He scored his first goal for The Clarets on 10 February 2024 in a 3–1 loss at Anfield.

International career
O'Shea has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 youth levels. He was first called up to the under-19's in September 2016 for the friendly double-header against Austria which was Tom Mohan's first game charge, following promotion from the under-17's. He was an unused substitute for the first game but made his debut in the second match, playing the full 90 in a 3–1 win. He then made one appearance for the side in the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying round, as Ireland qualified for the Elite stage, however, he didn't make any appearances in this round. He played in every game in the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers as Ireland just missed out on the final tournament in the Elite round, finishing second to Portugal. He was called up to manager, Stephen Kenny's, first under-21 squad for the friendly against Luxembourg in March 2009 and made his debut in the 3–0 win.

On 14 October 2020, he made his debut for the senior Republic of Ireland national team in a 1–0 away defeat against Finland in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League B. On 1 September 2021, he was named FAI Young Player of the Year for 2020. On 1 September 2021, O'Shea suffered an ankle fracture in a 2–1 away defeat at Portugal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, resulting in a long-term absence until February 2022.

Honours
Individual
 * FAI Young Player of the Year: 2020