Waterford man John O’Shea believes Ireland are ready to spring a surprise when they welcome Portugal to the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night, with the assistant manager insisting the team has the quality and belief to deliver a famous result.

Ireland go into the World Cup qualifier with momentum after their hard-fought win over Armenia, a result that reignited hopes of reaching next summer’s finals. And O’Shea feels that the lessons from last month’s dramatic clash in Lisbon — where Ireland were undone by a stoppage-time winner — have only strengthened the group’s resolve.

“You’re coming on the back of a victory against Armenia,” said O’Shea. “We took plenty of good stuff from the Portuguese game in terms of what we were looking for, certain spells of the game.

“We wanted to make sure we have something to play for in this window. We have, and now it’s Portugal at home, and it’s a massive opportunity for the boys and for us, for everybody.

“We go get that result that we’re all craving, that this squad, this team we feel can get.

“Let’s see what happens then against Hungary. But first and foremost, full concentration, making sure the group is ready, prepared.

“There’s a bit less training time this time and we just have to make sure everyone’s ready and fully focused and we know they will be.”

Ireland came agonisingly close to claiming a point in the reverse fixture in Lisbon. Ruben Neves’ late winner was all that separated the sides, while Caoimhín Kelleher’s brilliant penalty save earlier in the match highlighted Ireland’s resilience and fight — traits O’Shea believes will be crucial in Dublin.

The former Manchester United defender says the squad have grown in belief over the campaign, and insists that Thursday’s encounter offers a genuine chance to make a statement against one of Europe’s elite.

“This group is more than good enough to get a result like that without a doubt, and we know we have that confidence and belief in the group.

11 October 2025; Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, left, with coaching staff, from second from left, assistant head coach John O’Shea, goalkeeping coach Gudmundur Hreidarsson and assistant coach Paddy McCarthy before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

“If we do that, the confidence in the whole place, the whole country goes absolutely crazy and that’s what we’re craving. That’s what everyone is craving, to get it.”

Ireland’s hopes of qualification may depend partly on other results, with Hungary facing Armenia earlier in the day, but O’Shea is clear that the focus must remain on Ireland’s own performance.

“It’ll have a significance, but in terms of how we’re going to approach the game, I think it won’t have too much, initially,” said O’Shea.

“We have to have the same concentration and discipline in our performance against a very attack-minded Portuguese team. So we’ll wait and see what happens.

“We have to focus on what we have to do against Portugal to get that result that we need.

“So we’ll know a bit more information beforehand, but it’s not going to change too much, initially.”

As the campaign reaches its climax, O’Shea says Ireland’s determination to stay in the qualifying hunt remains as strong as ever.

“We’re always wanting more, whether that’s more clean sheets, more goals, more attacking opportunities, you always want to be in a better position, but you always want to have that chance to qualify, so that’s what we still have. It’s up to us now.

“We’ll have an advantage of knowing the result but still we have to perform in these games to get points, simple as that. The boys will know that so that’s what we have. We have two games to get to that World Cup scenario to stay in it.”

Ireland’s task is daunting — facing a Portugal side led by Cristiano Ronaldo and packed with attacking talent — but O’Shea insists the players are embracing the challenge.

Victory at the Aviva would not only keep qualification hopes alive but also send the squad to Budapest full of belief. For John O’Shea, that’s exactly the kind of moment Irish football lives for.