Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, John O'Shea is upbeat about the challenge of the Republic of Ireland emulating their heroic performances of last November
ByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalist- Published24 minutes ago
John O'Shea says he is confident the Republic of Ireland can carry the momentum gained in November into Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic (19:45 GMT).
In danger of missing out, the Republic of Ireland pulled off stunning victories over Portugal and Hungary to reach this stage.
The 3-2 win in Budapest was a rare success on the road for the Republic of Ireland, but O'Shea has faith that the players can replicate that heroic performance and keep alive their hopes of reaching the World Cup for the first time since 2002.
"Without a doubt, but you have to reinforce that [idea of momentum] straightaway," said O'Shea.
"The boss [Heimir Hallgrimsson] had a meeting with the boys this morning and we'll reinforce that in the training sessions and video meetings we'll have over the next couple of days to transport themselves back to that moment in Hungary, but then fast forward to what's ahead of us in Prague, tough opposition but one we can have success against."
The Republic of Ireland will set up a play-off final at home to Denmark or North Macedonia on 31 March with victory in Prague.
There are no fresh injury concerns from the weekend's club action following Hallgrimsson's squad announcement on Thursday.
"The boys are in a good place," added O'Shea, who won 118 Republic of Ireland caps but was not included in the 2002 World Cup squad.
"Training today was almost reminding me of that cup final scenario. Everyone's wanting to get into the team, the intensity, the noise and the atmosphere around the boys is brilliant.
"There's a quiet confidence in the group growing together, it's great to see but we know there's a lot of hard work to come."
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'We want to feel that special moment again'
Belief in the Republic of Ireland's prospects were transformed by a whirlwind four days in November.
After a Troy Parrott double saw off Portugal in Dublin following Cristiano Ronaldo's red card, Parrott's hat-trick - which included a last-gasp winner - secured a thrilling victory over Hungary and sealed his side's place in the play-offs.
Parrott's winner sparked ecstatic scenes among the players and travelling supporters in Budapest - and Nathan Collins says the squad is determined to feel those emotions again.
"We've always wanted to win and give the fans something to cheer for," said the Brentford captain.
"We still want to do that and give them more. The way we went about it, to beat Portugal at home and then away, last-minute, it was a special moment.
"As a group, that moment, we want to feel that again. We've only done half a job to get here so now we have two more games to do the rest of it."
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Collins is keen to give the fans more joy after the celebrations in Budapest
Collins played every minute of the Republic of Ireland's qualifying campaign.
He has featured in all but three of Europe-chasing Brentford's Premier League games this season, but he says he feels re-energised after a "bad knock" in training contributed to a spell out of the Bees' starting line-up last month.
"In a weird way it was nearly refreshing," he said.
"I've played a lot of football over the past two years and then when it was taken away from you, you have that hunger again.
"The reason you go to England as a kid is to play football and be on the pitch. It gave me that hunger again, I was desperate to get back in the squad.
"What we're chasing in Brentford, what we're aspiring to do, it gave me more energy. I feel good in myself, I feel like I'm in a good place and I'm excited to bring that over here for what we're trying to do with Ireland and bring it all together."
