World Cup: O'Shea named in friendly squad

Manchester United defender John O’Shea will have the World Cup in his sights after being named in the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad for the friendly against Denmark at Cork on March 26.

O’Shea could yet make a breakthrough to the senior squad for the finals in Japan and South Korea this summer and senior boss Mick McCarthy will be looking for a full progress report from his under-21 supremo Don Givens.

Givens has named a new-look squad from that which defeated Cyprus 3-0 in Longford last October, but is confident that the players coming through from youth level can make the grade.

‘‘There are a number of exciting young players round at the moment,’’ he said.

‘‘We had a really good get-together at Bisham Abbey in January and I look forward to the future with more than a degree of optimism.’’

Squad: Murphy (Tranmere), Stack (Arsenal), Thompson (Nottm Forest), O’Shea (Man Utd), Goodwin (Celtic), Shelley (Bohemians), Foy (Nottm Forest), O’Callaghan (Barnsley), R Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Butler (Sunderland), Miller (Celtic), Doyle (Celtic), Mattis (Huddersfield), McGill (Sunderland), S Byrne (West Ham), Reid (Nottm Forest), Barrett (Arsenal), Burgess (Blackburn).