West Brom defender Paul McShane reacted with a mixture of delight and amazement to his first senior international call-up yesterday, with the 20-year-old Wicklowman describing the news as a "dream come true".

"I came in from training and had some messages on my phone from a few of the Under-21 lads and my mates back home," he said.

"I'm over the moon. I've had that bit of luck getting into the team here and it's gone well so far. Now the call-up to the Irish team has topped it off.

"One of the reasons why I had to leave Manchester United was so I could play regularly and push for a place in the Ireland squad.

"It's all panned out nicely. But it's a surprise it's happened so quickly because I've only played a few games for West Brom."

McShane moved to Old Trafford from St Joseph's Boys, having apparently benefited from the Sallynoggin club's links with Bray Wanderers, who provided coaching and other help to young players coming through.

His father Seán played football and hurling for Dublin in the 70s and McShane cites United defenders Kevin Moran and Paul McGrath as his childhood heroes.

"They were two real defenders and I like players who like defending and give it their all. Those two did that, and it would be great to have international careers like theirs.

"But I'm not going to look too far ahead. I'm just going to go and enjoy the experience," said McShane.