To walk out onto the Croke Park pitch in front of a crowd of 76,000 wearing an Ireland shirt will be a lifelong dream for Paul McShane.

The Wicklow-born defender hopes to fulfill that dream when Ireland play Wales in the first-ever soccer match at Croke Park next month.

Speaking to The Irish Post this week the talented defender said: "I'm a big Gaelic football fan. I've played it a lot and my dad was a steward at Croke Park.

"He used to take me and my brother to Croke Park every week when the Gaelic was on. I saw Dublin win the All-Ireland in 1995."

McShane's career has taken a huge leap in the last few months from reserve-team football at Manchester United to Championship promotion contender with West Brom.

The Kilpedder youngster has become a first-team regular for the Baggies while also winning two caps for Ireland and a place forever in the nation's hearts after his memorable debut against the Czech Republic in October.

"It was a shock to be called up," said the 6ft defender who turned 21 in January. "Stan pulled me to one side before the Cyprus game and said you are not on the bench because we want some cover for full-back - that is the only reason.

"But to be fair I was happy anyway to travel to Cyprus as that was my first trip with the seniors - but my chance came sooner than I expected."

The confident youngster was outstanding on the pitch on his debut but ruffled a few feathers off it. In the Lansdowne Road dressing rooms at half-time against the Czech Republic McShane demanded more from his teammates. He didn't care if he upset a few senior squad members by speaking his mind.

He said: "I say my stuff in the dressing room - I'm an honest guy. I just let my feelings be heard. "They probably didn't like it but I'm not that fussed about it. If people don't want to hear what I've got to say fine - I'm not that bothered but I will say what I've got to say.

"I've learned over the last couple of years not to worry about things."

Following the heavy defeat to Cyprus preparations for McShane's debut were not ideal. He said: "Some of the media were ripping Stan apart.

"On the way to the Czech game some of the fans were booing the team bus.

"That's not good - but you just have to get on with it." McShane is delighted that his childhood friend Andy Keogh has also been called up to the Ireland squad.

He said: "I've played in the same teams with Andy since I was at St. Josephs under-12s.

"Our parents are quite close and I've been on trials to a few clubs with him. We've been mates for a good while. The manager of our team, Liam Brown, must be quite proud to have two players with international call-ups."

Keogh joined West Brom's fierce rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in January and in his first press conference told the assembled scribes that he regretted not being able to make his debut in the Black Country derby the previous weekend as he would have kicked McShane around the park.

The Wicklow man laughed off any such suggestions. He said: "He fancies himself a little bit I think. He's a great lad and it is obvious he has a good sense of humour - a very good sense of humour.