O'Shea and Giaccherini could meet in Euro 2016 crunch clash

Sunderland defender John O'Shea and forward Emanuele Giaccherini were last night confirmed in their national squads for Euro 2016 '“ and could come up against each other in Group E in France.
Sunderland defender John O'SheaSunderland defender John O'Shea
Sunderland defender John O'Shea

Centre-back O’Shea is, as expected, in Martin O’Neill’s 23-man Republic of Ireland party, while Giaccherini, a success on a season-long loan with Bologna, is in Antonio Conte’s Italy squad.

Ireland face Sweden on June 13 and Belgium on June 18 before a potentially pivotal final sectional game against the Italians on June 22.

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O’Shea is joined in the Irish squad by four former Sunderland players - keeper Keiren Westwood, midfielders James McClean and David Meyler and forward Daryl Murphy.

Ex-Newcastle keeper Shay Given, who had a successful loan at Sunderland in 1997, is included at the age of 40.

O’Shea did not figure in a much-changed Irish team which lost 2-1 to Belarus in Cork, with Stephen Ward grabbing the consolation goal.

Rep of Ireland Euro 2016 squad: Given, Randolph, Westwood; Christie, Clark, Coleman, Duffy, Keogh, O’Shea, Ward; Brady, Hendrick, Hoolahan, McCarthy, McClean, McGeady, Meyler, Quinn, Whelan; Keane, Long, Murphy, Walters