Ireland under-19 defender Dara O'Shea extends Exeter City loan until the end of the season

West Bromwich Albion defender Dara O’Shea has extended his loan with League Two side Exeter City until the end of the English league season.

The former St Kevin’s Boys schoolboy has been on loan at St James’ Park since July after a successful spell with National League side Hereford United last season.

After initially having to bide his time for a first-team chance, the 19-year-old has become a mainstay in the centre of defence alongside former Bray Wanderers man Pierce Sweeney.

O’Shea has made 16 appearances for Exeter this season and was awarded the Checkatrade Trophy player of the round during the group stages earlier in the season.

“Dara has been patient but he has had his opportunity given to him in terms of the first team and he has taken it,” manager Matt Taylor told the Grecians’ official website. 

“He has been the strength that we have been looking for in terms of the backline.

“He is a wholehearted defender who wants to go and win the ball and credit to West Brom in terms of allowing us to extend the loan. 

“They know that he is in a good place in terms of his development. Dara has just got to concentrate on keeping his place in the team and continuing to improve.”

Taylor continued: “If he does that then he is going to go back to West Brom a really good player.

“His character is a credit to West Brom and himself and I think he will improve a lot in the next few months. There were several players who had to be patient.

“We started the season so well it was difficult to get some of the fringe players in but you have a little blip and then form and injuries play their part and players have got to be ready to take their opportunity and Dara has done that. 

“It was probably on the back of some of the lesser cup games before he actually got his league chance, but he has come in and done well.

“He is a young player and he will make mistakes at times, but we have got to really stick with him and keep working with him.”