Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman has lavished praise on Shane Duffy after the centre-back starred in Wednesday's Euro 2016 Group E clash against Italy in Lille.

Duffy was handed his first competitive start for Republic of Ireland in a match that they needed to win in order to advance into the knockout round of the competition in France.

A late Robbie Brady header secured all the points for Martin O'Neill's side and Coleman reserved special praise for Duffy, who suffered a near-fatal accident in 2010 when a collision in training severed an artery connected to his liver.

Duffy ultimately recovered following emergency surgery and Coleman has claimed that there is no-one more deserving than his former Everton teammate.

"Shane Duffy was incredible, in his first competitive game. Let's not forget he was nearly dead six years ago. He's such a good lad, we've been together since Everton, and I'm so proud of him," Coleman told reporters.

Republic of Ireland will take on hosts France in the knockout stage of the competition on Sunday afternoon.