The only English-born player in the Republic of Ireland under-16 squad, Londoner Shaun Byrne will be the first to captain an Irish team in the final of a major football championship when he leads out the under-16 squad against Italy in tomorrow's UEFA Youths Championship final at McDiarmid Park, Perth.

Of the 18 players in Brian Kerr's panel, Byrne has displayed as much as any of these young hopefuls the aggression, drive, passion and skill normally reserved for international matches against England. His two-goal match-winning performance from midfield in Tuesday's semi-final rout of Portugal could be argued to be one of the best all-round displays by a player in an Irish shirt, considering the importance of the match.

Byrne, from Slough, is no Eastender despite an association with West Ham United since he was nine. His Irishness is of the much-maligned grandparent variety; his grandfather hailing from Blessington and there are family living in Kimmage.

There was as much surprise in Byrne's mind, as there was in some other quarters, when he was given the captaincy in a pre-qualifying friendly with Scotland. But it's something he's comfortably living with.

"I was very conscious about being the only English-born player in the squad and so I had mixed feelings about being made skipper," said Byrne.

"Of course I was delighted. But I felt a bit funny about it as well, because, coming over from England, I thought the other lads would be a bit funny about me being captain.

"But I've always classed myself as Irish and the lads have been great and there's no problem whatsoever.

"Being made captain has also given me a huge boost and has helped my game. I'm playing with a lot more confidence because of the responsibility I've been given."

There is little doubt Byrne has been playing the best football of his young career in an Irish shirt. He attributes that to his being far more content within himself when away from West Ham.

"I'm not enjoying myself as much as I thought I would at West Ham this season," said Byrne. "That's why I love coming to play with Ireland and there is no doubt I play better for Ireland than I do for West Ham because I'm happier."

He didn't argue at the suggestion that the match against Portugal was the best game of his life. "It was the best game I've played in, and because it meant so much, and I scored twice, it has to be my best performance as well," he agreed.

An England trialist just over a year ago, his father, John, encouraged him to declare for Ireland and he hasn't looked back since.

"I can't wait to get back to the club. They don't think of Ireland as a footballing country," said Byrne. "The other lads at the club slagged me before I came away saying we wouldn't get anywhere. I told them that at least we qualified.

"Now I have the chance to return to West Ham as the captain of the European Champions. That would be nice."

RTE television and Eurosport will screen the match live (kick-off 7.00 pm). Live radio commentary on RTE medium wave.