Dara O'Shea proud of team after testing October Nations League window

Dara O'Shea said he was proud of how he and his team-mates came through a testing October international window while standing in as Republic of Ireland captain during a four-game Nations League schedule that included matches in Kosovo, Austria and neutral-venue fixtures against Israel. He filled in for the injured Nathan Collins during that period.

The campaign produced a loss away to Kosovo and a draw at home to Austria, but two meetings with Israel proved particularly challenging. The first Israel game ended 3-0 to the Republic in Hungary after a day when training was delayed while players voted on whether to play amid protests over the Israel-Gaza war; goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made himself unavailable for selection. The second meeting finished 1-1 in Serbia, a match O'Shea missed for personal reasons.

"I think I was quite lucky, I am really proud to be part of the group, with some great people in it," said the Ipswich Town captain. "Even the players playing now as well, they are great leaders themselves. I always keep level-headed, I don't get too high with the highs or too low with the lows."

O'Shea reflected on the personal and collective challenge the window presented. "Of course it was a difficult time, it was a time that I had to learn stuff about myself, how I was going to react to things. But I think as a group we did excellently. And I am really proud of the group and the staff."

Seamus Coleman has been operating in a "hybrid role" with the squad despite not being included in manager Heimir Hallgrimsson's official 24-man list, and the 38-year-old defender has been without a club since leaving Everton at the end of last season following 17 years with the Toffees. The 38-year-old recently said he is considering retirement but Republic of Ireland assistant coach John O'Shea welcomed his presence around the group.

"It's us helping Seamus and Seamus helping us," John O'Shea said of Coleman's role on the training pitch. "To see the impact he's having, the quality that remains in his ability and the driving and pushing he's doing for everyone in the group has been good to see. Not much has changed."

Dara O'Shea also praised the returners. "It's great to have them [Collins and Coleman] back," he said. "It would have been great if they were there in the last camp as well, but we had some really good people in that last camp who were doing great things. Nathan's the captain, so it's always great to have him back in. Seamus' knowledge is so, so valuable to us. I think we are a stronger group when we have them two with us."

Collins is back to lead the team for Saturday's trip to face Austria in Linz and the final League B3 game at home to Kosovo on Tuesday (both 19:45 GMT).