Football Firsts: Bury midfielder Jay O’Shea

First game you watched live?

The first one that I can remember would've been the FAI Cup Final between Bray Wanderers and Finn Harps at Tolka Park (in 1999).

I remember Bray Wanderers won – I was there supporting them as my school team was a feeder club for them.

I think I probably would've been getting into my teenage years, I'd say.

First football hero?

Eric Cantona. My uncle used to go over to Manchester and bring back VCRs – I used to watch a lot of the goals that he scored.

He had this aura around him. He was a special player.

I was also a bit too young to model my game on him but I think everyone used to try and be like David Beckham.

I used to play on the right wing and try and copy everything about him – his boots, hair, everything.

I remember pretending to be Cantona in the playground though, popping my collar.

First football boots?

My first pair of boots were Hi-Tec. They were black, with a white sole, and I think they had a bit of blue on the back.

I remember that because Roy Keane used to wear Hi-Tecs.

First kit?

My first kit would've been a one, as well. I think they were sponsored by Adidas and it had Sharp on the front.

I've still got it. My mum still has it at home but it's on a teddy bear I think – that's how small I was!

First professional game?

It was for Bray Wanderers against Longford Town in the Grounds. I think I was 17 or 18.

At the time I wasn't really playing with the first team but a couple of players got in a bit of trouble with the manager for disciplinary reasons and they got dropped out of the squad.

It was a nice surprise, making my debut – I'd only really come from schoolboy – but I don't think there was anyone there watching me!

My first game in was against Man United (in August 2009).

I was only in England about six days – I signed for on my 24th birthday on the Monday and then played on the Sunday and came on.

It was unbelievable. I went from playing the week before in the Carlisle Grounds with about 1,000 people there, and then the week after playing in front of 76,000.

I was still a big fan and playing against players I'd watched all my life.

First professional goal?

It was for Bray Wanderers against Shamrock – we beat them 3-1 at the Carlisle Grounds.

My first goal in England was for on loan against in 2011.

The ball got played in to the second striker and it wasn't for me but I got in the way, touched it up and volleyed it into the top corner, so it was a nice one.

I haven't managed to find any footage of that goal – I've been trying to get it for a while but I've never actually seen it back!

First red card?

I've never had a red card. I had one for my school team but never had one professionally, so far.

Hopefully, I'm not jinxing it here!

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