Shane Duffy: ‘There are low points in a career and I have had mine. You just have to have the mental strength to come out of it.’

Rónán McNamara reports from FAI HQ

Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy is relishing the prospect of a capacity crowd at the Aviva Stadium for their friendly against Belgium on Saturday.

Stephen Kenny’s charges welcome the number one ranked side in the world to Dublin with tickets on course to sell out before the 5pm kick-off despite the Red Devils opting to travel without a host of stars for the game. 

Season tickets for 2022 have surpassed 18,500 in record sales and Duffy welcomes the enthusiasm from the Irish public and is embracing the pressure that comes with it.

“There’s always pressure when you play for Ireland,” he said speaking to the media in Abbotstown. “It’s the top level of the game and that’s why players play at this level, we have to embrace it and enjoy it. 

“This is why we are in the game for the full houses for your country. There’s not much better than it so there is pressure but the confidence we have and the group we have together, it’s one we are all excited for.

“If you don’t get excited about it then you are in the wrong sport.”

After enduring a nightmarish loan spell at boyhood club Celtic last season, the central defender has shown glimpses of his best form at parent club Brighton and Hove Albion, having taken advantage of the opportunity presented to him following Ben White’s summer move to Arsenal.

The former Everton man has made 18 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls although he has struggled to hold down a permanent place in the side since the turn of the year with Graham Potter favouring fullbacks Joel Veltman and Marco Cucurella either side of Lewis Dunk on occasion.

After starting 13 of the first 15 games of the season, Duffy has started just three times since contracting Covid-19 and undergoing ankle surgery but is enjoying his football again after a dark time in his life.



“I had a good start to the season and was a little bit slow after Christmas with Covid and ankle surgery so I am trying to get back to fitness. I’m happy to be playing football again.

“Good family, good friends, having good people around you to pick you up when you are down. I think I speak for the majority of footballers, there are low points in a career and I have had mine.

"You just have to have the mental strength to come out of it and bounce back and believe in your ability and that’s what I’ve done I have knuckled down and I have a smile back on my face. I am enjoying it again,” he added.

Former Ireland assistant coach Anthony Barry – who is also part of Thomas Tuchel’s coaching staff at Chelsea – will be in the opposite dugout on Saturday after he left the Ireland setup in favour of joining Roberto Martinez and Thierry Henry at Belgium.

QPR coach John Eustace was drafted in by Stephen Kenny during the week and Duffy is excited by what he has seen from the former Watford man.

“Anthony was great for the team but football moves and people come and go which is part of the game but John has been great he has fitted in well with us and it’s quite exciting again to have different ideas to add to what we have.



“I have full respect for Anthony but I am really excited about what John can bring to us. If he can add to what we already have, hopefully it can be exciting times.”

 

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