Dara O Shea article over here.
Dara O'Shea reflected on a day of "immense pride" after he was handed the West Brom captaincy for the first time and responded with a goal and an assist in a 5-2 hammering of Hull City.
The Republic of Ireland defender has been at the Baggies since 2015, when he moved over from Dublin schoolboy outfit St Kevin's Boys.
Loan spells at Hereford and Exeter City toughened up the centre-half and he has really kicked on in the last two years, becoming a a key man for his club and earning senor international caps with his country.
On Saturday, O'Shea was given the armband for the first time by boss Steve Bruce, and he admitted it was a big surprise.
"The emotion I'm feeling the most right now is immense pride if I’m being honest," O'Shea, 23, told the club website.
"I’ve been here since I was 16 and just to play for the first team is a massive honour, but to lead the team out as captain in a league game is special.
"I’ll never forget this moment. I didn’t know I was going to be captain until before the game so it kind of came at me quite fast. The boss mentioned it in the team meeting before the game. I saw my name up to play and it had captain next to it too.
"I was just really happy when I saw it. I prepared exactly the same way and approached it like I would any other game to be honest.
"It’s something I’ve always wanted to do here, be a captain. I’m just really happy to have achieved it."
West Brom earned their first win of the season with an impressive victory over early Championship high-flyers Hull at the Hawthorns.
An own goal by Callum Elder set Bruce's side on their way against one of his former clubs then quick goals at the start of the second half from John Swift and Darnell Furlong, before Karlan Grant's penalty and O'Shea sealed a welcome three point.
Leading 2-0, Albion extended their lead with a low, angled shot from Furlong after a square pass from O'Shea, who then added a goal of his own with a diving header following a cross from the right in the 85th minute.
"It was almost a perfect afternoon and I say almost because I would’ve wanted us to have kept a clean sheet," O'Shea added.
"I’m really disappointed we’ve conceded two goals in that game.
"Scoring goals is what we’ve been lacking of late. We’ve been playing well but we haven’t been scoring and we haven’t been winning. You need to score to win games and we’ve managed to get five which is really pleasing.
"It’s massive for the boys and the whole team. It proves what we are trying to do is right. Goals will come. It’s a really positive day.
"I’ll take the goal if they want to give it to me, but as a defender, I’d rather have kept a clean sheet.
