Euro 2016

Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea keen to banish memories of Euro 2012

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 24 March 2016

Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea hopes that the Boys in Green give a better account of themselves when they return to a European Championship.

John O'Shea has said that he is determined for the Republic of Ireland to right some wrongs when they return to the European Championship finals this summer.

The Boys in Green finished bottom of a group consisting of Spain - who went on to win the competition - Italy and Croatia at Euro 2012 four years ago under Giovanni Trappatoni.

Now under Martin O'Neill, the Sunderland centre-back is optimistic that the Irish can fare better in France this time around.

"I've done my best to erase it from my memory, but people keep bringing it up. I was hardly delighted with it," he told Sky Sports News.

"Obviously we wanted to get out of the group and we didn't, so that's the main thing we'll be looking to do this time around. Preparation is very important for it, but it's a different time, a different group of players, different management, everything's different.

"Fingers crossed the manager has a fully fit group to pick a squad from, and if we can have that, hopefully it will be a different set of results."

O'Neill's side were paired with Belgium, Italy and Sweden this time around, with their first game coming against the Swedes at Stade de France on June 13.