I used to love watching him as a player, so it is a joy to play alongside him. I might take the mickey out of him, but deep down I have so much admiration for him.

I know it will take a little time to adapt to a different team and a different league.

I had expected to be playing in the reserves and, all going well, that I might get a chance in the first team towards the end of the season. But it has all happened much faster than I could ever have thought.

A lot of players might be tired, but I feel nice and sharp.

As a kid growing up in the back streets of Dublin I used to pretend I was playing in the World Cup with my mates out on the streets, and now I will be doing it for real.

Sometimes, you need different things in life, you need different challenges that will give you that little boost.

We have a great sense of togetherness. It is our team spirit that has taken us to this World Cup.