Danny Higginbotham

For the Scottish footballer with the same name, see Paul McShane (Scottish footballer)

Paul David McShane (born January 6 1986 in Kilpeddar, County Wicklow) is an Republic of Ireland football (soccer) player who plays as a Defender (football) for Hull City on a season-long loan from Sunderland A.F.C..

Club career

Early career

Paul started his career for Newtown Juniors, then to Greystones United and also his secondary school St. Davids. Then he played for St.Josephs Boys AFC based in south Dublin.

Manchester United

In the summer of 2002 he signed for Manchester United F.C.. In December 2004, he was loaned to Walsall F.C., where he played four league matches. He played for Manchester United in the final of the 2003 FA Youth Cup in which they defeated Middlesbrough F.C. by the score 3-1.

He played in pre-season friendly matches and was given the squad number 34, but did not make a full debut for Manchester United.

Brighton & Hove Albion

In August 2005 he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion F.C on an initial five month loan deal. The loan was later extended for the whole of the 2005-06 season. McShane was voted Player of the Season by the supporters, as well as the away supporters' Player of the Season. He scored the match winner for Brighton in a famous 1-0 away win at arch rivals Crystal Palace F.C., which enhanced his popularity with the Seagulls supporters.

West Bromwich Albion

On August 10 2006, McShane moved to West Bromwich Albion F.C. along with fellow 2003 FA Youth Cup winner Luke Steele (athlete) on a permanent basis in a deal that saw Tomasz Kuszczak join United on a season long loan with a view to a permanent deal. He made his debut for West Brom in a 3-0 win over Leyton Orient F.C. in the League Cup on August 24 2006. His goal against Leeds United F.C. in the FA Cup on January 6 2007 sent Albion on their way to a 3-1 victory. It was the first of three goals he scored in 42 appearances for the club.

On April 28 2007, at Albion's match at Coventry City F.C., West Brom supporters showed their appreciation of McShane and goalkeeper Dean Kiely (both Irish internationals) by adopting an Irish theme for their traditional last away game party.

Sunderland

On July 26 2007, McShane joined Sunderland A.F.C. for an initial £1.5 million fee. Paul's first game for the Black Cats ended in success - his performance helping Sunderland to a clean sheet and a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. Since then he has played at both right back and centre back.
On Friday 29 August 2008 Sunderland A.F.C. accepted a loan offer from Hull City A.F.C. to sign him.

International career

McShane received his first senior international call up from manager Steve Staunton on 25 September 2006, for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Cyprus national football team and the Czech Republic national football team. An injury to Andrew O'Brien and the suspension of Richard Dunne (the two central defenders that had started the game against Cyprus) meant that McShane was given his first international cap against the Czech Republic on 11 October 2006. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with McShane being named man of the match.