Paul David McShane (born January 6, 1986 in Kilpeddar, County Wicklow) is an Irish football player who plays as a defender for Sunderland.
Club career
Ealy career
McShane started his football career playing first for his local club Greystones United F.C. He also played for the St David's secondary school team, and soon thereafter for St Joseph's Boys.
Manchester United
In the summer of 2002 he signed for Manchester United. In December, he was loaned to Walsall, 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 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 début for Manchester United.
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, which enhanced his popularity with the Seagulls supporters.
West Bromwich Albion
On August 10, 2006, McShane moved to West Brom along with fellow 2003 FA Youth Cup winner Luke Steele 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 in the League Cup on August 24, 2006. His goal against Leeds United 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.
Hull City
On April 28, 2007, at Albion's match at Coventry City, 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 for an initial £1.5 million fee. Paul's first game for the Black Cats ended in success - his excellent performance helping Sunderland to a clean sheet and a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Mc Shane was loaned out to Hull City in August 2008 where he made 17 appeaanaces and one as a sub before his recall to Sunderland in Januray 2009. Paul's last game for Hull was an FA victory over Newcasrtle on 14 January 2009.
International career
McShane received his first senior international call up from manager Steve Staunton on September 25, 2006, for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Cyprus and the Czech Republic.
An injury to Andy 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 October 11, 2006. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with McShane being named man of the match.
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