Sammie Szmodics’ red-hot form and the ’keeper conundrum: questions for John O’Shea as he announces his first squad

Interim manager John O'Shea has decisions to make surrounding Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher and Blackburn midfielder Sammie Szmodics

Seán O'Connor

It seems like a lifetime ago since Stephen Kenny walked out of the Aviva Stadium press conference room for the final time last November, as his three-and-a-half-year reign as Ireland boss came to an end the following day.

With his successor not being announced until early April because of “existing contractual obligations”, centurion defender John O’Shea has been entrusted with the role of interim head coach for the double-header against Euros-bound Belgium and Switzerland later this month.