I heard it through the grape vine (facebook) that Shay was on Sky Sports last night. How did he do? Any comments folks?

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It was a night which the Irish will remember for a long time, in that it was 10 years to the day that Ireland qualified for the last World Cup in Iran. But tonight to qualify in front of a packed Avira Stadium full of the Green army was something special. Get Shay’s immediate thoughts after the game when he makes his rounds around the pitch here.

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Listen to Shay ahead of the game from his Estonian Hotel here

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Watch the video here for Shay giving his thoughts ahead of the Estonian game

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Shay: “We do have an advantage in that we have got the experience of having been here before, and I think it’s the first time they have ever qualified for a play-off situation. But at the same time, it’s the best team they (more…)

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Shay: “It’s nearly 25 years since we were involved in the European Championships and if we could qualify in Dublin that would be very, very special. I was in Estonia 10 years ago. We won both group games 2-0. But in their history, this is their strongest team by a mile. They beat Serbia and Slovenia. Our players and fans need to have a reality check. We must not get (more…)

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I thought the best comment on Ireland’s miracle shut-out against Russia was the ‘Russia 0:0 Aston Villa’ with Richard Dunne and Shay performing heroics to keep the Russians at bay. To be fair to the entire Irish team though, there were blocks going in everywhere around the pitch with Russia dominating possession on their home turf or should I say home ‘plastic’ as it was played on an entirely plastic grass surface which make it hard for Ireland as the ball moves even faster than a ‘normal’ pitch.

Shay had three major saves to make and was particularly glad that the 90th minute block with his knee was enough to keep the vital point which ensures Ireland’s hopes of qualifying are kept alive.

Richard Dunne on Shay’s performance said “Shay’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world and you always know you can rely on him. When he was called upon, he came up with some great saves and as a team we should be really pleased with the way we played.”

Shay commented on his own performance “I just about got my knee down to block it. He was pretty close, but in situations like that it’s all about standing your ground and luckily enough I did that, as it was very close to going through my legs.

But it’s not all just about me. The whole back four were excellent and we defended very well.”

Paul McGrath (former Villa and Ireland hero) said of Richard Dunne’s performance “That was the best performance I have ever seen from any Irish centre-half – and that includes myself.”

So well done to Richard, Shay and the entire Irish team. You certainly did us proud.

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Shay earned the ‘Lazarus’ nickname from Steve Harper at Newcastle, as it seemed no matter how badly injured Shay was, he would always somehow creep off the treatment table for the next game, much to Steve’s frustration. It seems that Lazarus lives on at Aston Villa, with Shay almost certain to start against Blackburn Rovers for his home debut in an Aston Villa shirt.

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Check out Shay’s thoughts on Aston Villa’s podcast concerning the coming season and how he feels the back four have the experience to have a great season… Podcast here: Shay comes on the podcast after approx. 10 minutes.

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N’Zogbia is having his medical at Aston Villa and will become the second big signing behind Shay at Aston Villa. Shay was asked by Sky Sports what he thought of the signing. Have a look here at the free video from Sky Sports (thanks guys).

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