Paul McShane is an Irish footballer, who was born on January 6, 1986 in Kilpeddar, County Wicklow. He usually plays as a defender in the right-back and centre-back positions.
Paul McShane was chosen for the Republic of Ireland national team in September 2006 and made his first international appearance versus the Czech Republic in the Euro 2008 qualifier matches the following month. For his brilliant performances on his debut for the national team, he was named the Man of the match.
Paul McShane kick-started his football career by joining the Newtown Juniors football club. After brief stints with Greystones United, St. Davids, his secondary school, and St.Josephs Boys AFC in Dublin, he switched to the English football club, Manchester United, as a youth player in the summer of 2002. Paul McShane was a part of the team that lifted the 2003 Football Association (FA) Youth Cup, and he progressed to the senior side of the club in 2004. He was the youngest player in the United's Champions League squad for the 2004-05 season. In December that year, he went on loan to Walsall and made his professional debut against Sheffield Wednesday. Paul McShane made four league appearances for Walsall during his association with the club.
Paul McShane was loaned out to the Brighton and Hove Albion F.C. on a five-month deal in August 2005. Owing to his performances, the club extended his loan for the rest of the season. He scored the winning goal for the club in its triumph against Crystal Palace, which made him very popular among the Seagulls supporters. During his loan term, he played in 38 matches, scoring 4 goals for the club.
Paul McShane switched to West Bromwich Albion in August 2006 and made his debut in its victory against Leyton Orient in the 2006 League Cup. His first score for the club was a stunning goal in the 2007 FA Cup match versus Leeds United that led the team to the victory stands. In his tenure with West Bromwich Albion, he became a favourite among the fans after making 42 appearances. Paul McShane signed for Sunderland on July 26, 2007 for an initial £1.5 million fee. On his first appearance for the club, he played a crucial role in its win over Tottenham Hotspur. He represented the club in 21 games, and in August 2008, he went on loan to Hull City.
