Ireland under-21 defender Dara O'Shea eyeing FA Cup run with West Brom

It was been a year to remember for Dara O’Shea in 2019, and he will surely be hoping to build on a breakthrough year in 2020 – this time with West Bromwich Albion.

O’Shea earned his international under-21 stripes under Stephen Kenny last year – while he also made his West Brom senior debut at the start of the 2019/20 season.

And this weekend sees the Baggies travel to face Barnsley in the Third Round of the FA Cup (KO on Sunday at 2.01pm) – with O’Shea in line to make another start of Slaven Bilic’s side.  

“It’s nice when you have a taste of first-team football to have games like this coming up, where you can look forward to hopefully playing,” O’Shea told his club’s media team.

“Obviously with the FA Cup being such a prestigious tournament as well it’s great.

“An FA Cup run can only help really, especially with a big squad because it gives all the lads minutes to improve and stay active for when called upon.

“When I was down at Hereford, we went on a little FA Cup run, I think we got to the second round and earned a replay at Fleetwood - which was huge for the club then. That’s probably my best memory there.

“And last season at Exeter, the FA Cup got me going and got me in the team there so it’s a great competition and one that I’ve enjoyed.

“This season has been different with being on loan last season and getting a taste for it, and then coming back here and being involved but not getting as much game time.

“It’s tough but it’s still a great learning experience being around the players and it’s obviously a higher level than I was last season. It’s great and it’s frustrating!”

“It’s definitely nice to play for a manager who has confidence in you,” the Dubliner added. “As long as he has confidence in you, you’ll go out and play with confidence - which is great.

“I know that I can go out and express myself and not be having to check over my shoulder to see if he’s happy or not. He gives me the freedom to play.

“It fills me with confidence to know that he believes in me and wants me here, it’s great to have the backing of him.”