It is coming up to the 10-year anniversary of the infamous 1-1 World Cup play-off draw in Paris, a game that Paul McShane remembers only too well.

Thierry Henry's intervention with his hand allowed France to derail Irish hopes of heading to South Africa in the most cruel manner, a display championed as to what a talented Irish team could achieve when afforded the opportunity to express themselves during the straight-jacketed era of Giovanni Trapattoni.

It also marks the last time the defender made a competitive appearance for his country.

After 65 minutes at the Stade de France, he was summoned to replace the injured John O’Shea, playing his part in one of the most outstanding Irish performances in recent memory.

Referee Martin Hansson shows a yellow card to Paul McShane in the 2009 World Cup play-off

Friendly games came and went – 12 over the space of five years – but the Wicklow native was never thrust back into competitive action, though he was a late inclusion to Giovanni Trapattoni’s Euro 2012 squad.

His final outing in green was against Slovakia three years ago, and while he has endured a difficult time of late on the club front, he has now found a new lease of life with Rochdale having joined the League One side last week.

The 33-year-old insists however that he will never close the door on international football.

"I do believe that, yeah," he told 2fm's Game On when asked if he could ever see himself back in the Ireland fold.

"I’ve been in this game a long time now and football can change very quickly. It did seem a million miles away the last couple of years. I’m back to full fitness, so touch wood, I can stay as fit as possible and get as many games under my belt and see where it goes.

"I’ll always be available for my country and who knows what will happen in the future?"

McShane in action against Angel di Maria in 2010

McShane refuses to go down the hard luck story route and says that the chances to impress just dried up over the years.

In his two Premier League seasons with Hull, a 0-0 draw with England at the Aviva Stadium was all he had to show for his country.

He sought answers, but Martin O'Neill just couldn’t be won over.

"I’d make the phone call when I wasn’t in [the squad]. I think players need to be like that. You have to ask the questions and managers must have the answers."

After the Terriers dropped out of the top-flight in 2015, McShane joined Championship side Reading. He played 91 league games in the first three seasons at the Madejski Stadium, but last year the Royals struggled throughout. So too did the Irish man.

The atmosphere became toxic and McShane was no longer part of the first-team plans.

The Irish defender fends off the challenge of Preston striker Seanie Maguire last season

"It was tough in the end," he concedes before ending his period as a free agent with a short-term contract at Rochdale.

A 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley at the weekend was the dream start to move four points clear of the drop-zone.

The decision to join the League One strugglers was a quick one after meeting fellow countryman and manger Brian Barry-Murphy.

"He has a great relationship with the players and there is a really great atmosphere. I got that the first day. Everyone has a say, it’s not a dictatorship. If there’s a problem on the pitch, he wants players to be vocal, he wants people’s opinions and is open to all ideas.

"The way he has the team playing is really good and nice on the eye."

I'm an optimist, so yeah. I’ll always believe that Ireland can pull out a result

McShane dipped in and out of Ireland's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland midweek. He doesn’t sugar coat the performance, but believes his former team-mates are capable of upsetting Denmark when they travel to Dublin next month. The doom and gloom surrounding the Boys in Green he feels is nothing new.

"I’m an optimist, so yeah. I’ll always believe that Ireland can pull out a result.

"There has been negativity around the team for quite some time to be honest. Sometimes it isn’t the prettiest of football, but the team has been looking at results-based performances. As long as we get results, I don’t think that will change much.

"I know the fans would like some good football played, but it is a results-driven business.

"The lads will just get on with it."

Now in the twilight of his career, McShane is getting nearer to a career away from playing. Where does he see his future post-football?

"Hollywood for me, straight into the acting," he muses.

"No seriously. I would be looking to get more involved in coaching. I have my A and B badges. We’ll see. I hope to play for a few more years, but I do have my eye on coaching."