Veteran Irish goalkeeper Shay Given was on Saturday named in the side to play Croatia in their opening Group C Euro 2012 clash ending doubts he would be fit for the game.
The 36-year-old - Ireland’s most capped player with 122 - had been a doubt because of a knee injury but after being able to train fully on Friday suffered no reaction and was cleared to play in Sunday’s match giving coach Giovanni Trapattoni a boost.
The 73-year-old Italian - who as a coach has won seven Serie A titles, the European Cup, a Cup Winners Cup and two UEFA Cups - sprang no surprises with Kevin Doyle set to partner Ireland’s all-time leading scorer Robbie Keane up front.
Damien Duff - like Given and Keane a survivor from the last time the Irish appeared at a major finals the 2002 World Cup - also starts on one flank while Spartak Moscow’s Aiden McGeady is on the other.
Ireland face a tough task to progress to the quarter-finals as aside from Euro 2008 quarter-finalists they also have defending champions Spain and Italy in the group.