Everton boss David Moyes is set to put his faith in Shane Duffy as Everton enter a pivotal spell in the Blues boss’ Goodison reign.
The Derry born Ireland international has been told he is right in the mix to challenge favoured pair Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin for a first-team place as the Toffees chase a top four finish and FA Cup glory.
Duffy had previously been fourth in line to start in central defence and Moyes had considered allowing him to go on loan to gather experience, but has been impressed with his development in recent months.
And with John Heitinga’s poor run of form proving costly in recent weeks, Moyes has informed Duffy he will be going nowhere as the club attempts to compete on two fronts which could yet prove crucial to Moyes’ own Goodison future.
The 21-year-old was selected ahead of Heitinga to come on as a late substitute during Saturday’s fifth round FA Cup draw with Oldham, and will be on the bench again for the visit to face Norwich at Carrow Road in the Premier League on Saturday.
Earlier this month Duffy led the Ireland U21's to an impressive 3-0 win over the Netherlands in Tallaght Stadium and the young Galliagh defender will be keen to get some club games under his belt and force his way into Trapattoni's senior Ireland squad.
Ireland winger Aiden McGeady has urged Derry duo Shane Duffy and James McClean to take their chance this week to impress Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
Duffy and McClean were not in Trapattoni's original squad for the Czech Republic friendly, but are now in line to make their international debuts on Wednesday night at Lansdowne Road.
A combination of Richard Dunne's shoulder injury and impressive defensive displays for Everton in recent months has seen Duffy return to the senior international set-up.
This week will be the 20-year-old centre-back's first opportunity with the senior squad since he ruptured his hepatic artery in a training match in May 2010 and Trapattoni said yesterday that Duffy is likely to feature at some point during the Czech Republic friendly.
Fellow Derry man McClean was added to the squad last week and Trap will be hoping to see some of his impressive recent club displays for Sunderland transfer to the international stage.
"This is the last real game before the Euros it is a big chance for everyone to impress and get in the manager's final squad selection," said McGeady.
"I was actually with James coming back in the car from the airport. We just spoke briefly. The two boys came in today for the first training session. The two of them done well and will be good additions to the squad.
"You have got the chance to impress the manager in training, but game time is when it really counts. It is up to them and it is a great opportunity for them."
The Russian season does not start until the 5th of March, so McGeady's pre-season training has meant he has seen little of McClean's rapid progress in the Premiership.
McGeady said: "The last month or so I have been everywhere in training camps. I have not seen much football. I have seen bits here and there.
"From what I know he has been performing well and he looks a really good prospect. Direct and pacey.
"He looks as if he has got a good cross on him as well and a knack of scoring goals. He has been doing really well. He's obviously worthy of his call-up."
With Trapattoni saying that McClean could play on either wing, the Sunderland man's inclusion could be seen to be competition for McGeady.
However, the former Celtic midfielder welcomes any contest for his starting place and feels it can only benefit the team.
"It is the same at club level. There are always players vying for the same position," McGeady said.
"Of course if there is somebody who is going to take your place, then you up your game. I try to up my game anyway, but obviously if I do people will say it is down to someone breathing down my neck.
"The more players you have got playing at the top of their game, playing in the Premiership, then of course it is going to be healthy for the squad."
With just over three months to Ireland's opening game in Euro 2012 McGeady freely admits that the excitement of playing in his first major tournament is leading to a few restless night's.
"I wake up at night dreaming about it just," he laughed.
"You just want to get to a major finals. Now we have to make sure we stay fit and give ourselves the best possible chance to shine at the Euros.
"Everyone is absolutely buzzing for it and still on a high from last November. We are looking forward to the initial gathering at the end of May and then the championships themselves. It is going to be fantastic.
"We weren't expected to qualify and we did, but now we are there we are going to do everything we can to get out of the group. We are in a very tough group.
"Our record has been good against Italy over the last few years. We played [Croatia] not so long ago and we drew 0-0.
"Spain are obviously the favourites to win the whole competition. But it is not totally unrealistic for us to get out of the group. We have a good set of players and we are due a place in the tournament. We'll see what happens. We'll give ourselves every chance."
Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni has called Everton defender Shane Duffy into the Ireland squad for this month’s international friendly against Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road.
The 20-year-old Derry born defender will replace Richard Dunne in the 24-man squad after the Villa defender learned he will sidelined for eight weeks with a fractured clavicle suffered during Villa’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City yesterday afternoon.
Duffy will join up with the squad for training on February 26, three days before the Dublin friendly. The Derryman has shown great promise at the heart of the Everton defence in recent weeks having made his Premier League debut last month against Tottenham Hotspur.
Everton Boss David Moyes has praised the maturity of Ireland U21 International Shane Duffy after his home Premier League debut at Goodison Park yesterday against Blackburn.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw Moyes said “Shane Duffy had a terrific game. He was arguably our best player today and he’s a young boy; we just needed a lot more in every department.”
Derry born Duffy has now played in the last three Everton games, standing in for the injured Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin, and after solid showings at Spurs and Aston Villa the 20 year old centre-back ran out at Goodison Park for the first time in a league game and left the stadium with the man of the match award.
Duffy looked totally composed at the heart of the 'Toffees' backline and already seems to have built up a good understanding with fellow centre-back John Heitinga. He was defensively solid and was always a threat from set pieces. He was unlucky not to have given Everton the three points when he struck the bar with a late header.
And David Moyes was delighted at the way the youngster has stepped up to the mark in such a crucial role for the side.
"Duffy has played really well in the games," Moyes told evertontv. "He has been steady and looked mature in the games he has played.
"It is not easy for a young centre-half to play in the Premier League and we have tried to keep his game steady and simple and he has done well."
Duffy spent the first half of the season on loan at Scunthorpe before his call back to the Toffees, and impressed all at Glanford Park including Iron boss Alan Knill who was keen to retain the services of the Derry man for the remainder of the season.
Earlier this week Shane Duffy set himself a target of saving David Moyes a fortune in the transfer market and if recent performances are anything to go by, he may well do just that.
Despite the recent bold pronouncements by new NI boss Michael O’Neill regarding his intention to stop players from the North opting to play for Ireland rather than his IFA team, it would seem, going by player statements in the past week, that his misguided mission is likely to continue falling on deaf-ears with players and supporters alike.
Last Week Derry born Sunderland wonder-winger James McClean again reiterated his intention to seek selection to Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland squad. "I have declared myself for the Republic and that's where I see my international future. If I don't get called up, then I'll live with that but I have confidence in my own ability that I will get a call-up at some stage with the Republic of Ireland”.
"I can only imagine what it would be like to play for Ireland at a tournament like that. I remember the last time they were at a finals, in 2002, everyone in Derry was watching the team then, and for me to make the squad would be unbelievable”.
Today Marc Wilson, the Stoke City midfielder from Aghagallon in County Antrim said on the Stoke website "I have always seen myself as a Republic of Ireland player. I supported them when I was growing up and if I have to continue to bide my time and wait for my chance to come along, I am happy to do that."
Wilson has represented Ireland at u19, u21 and senior level, although he has yet to play in a competitive senior international for Trapattoni.
He added: "I would love to play for them, though, one day and I have made that clear before a number of times. Hopefully, my time will come in the future. I would love to try to be part of the squad for the European finals, but if that doesn't happen, then I will keep working hard here at Stoke and try to earn a spot in the Ireland team."
"I made the decision a few years ago (to represent Ireland) without having my head turned by anybody, and I am sticking by that. It is something I am comfortable with."
And following on from McClean & Wilson’s statements of commitment to the Irish cause, Shane Duffy the Derry born Ireland U21 international has also reiterated his desire to one day make the grade for Trap’s senior squad.
Speaking in the Irish Mail on Sunday last weekend Duffy said “ When I was a young lad growing up all I ever wanted to do was play for Ireland, nothing else. My heroes were Paul McGrath, Roy Keane and Robbie Keane. Nobody from Ireland ever got in touch with me when I was younger. I was part of the NI squad, but when Liam Brady phoned me up to ask me to play for Ireland there was never a chance I was going to say no”
Perhaps the time is now right for Michael O’Neill and the IFA to concentrate on players who feel some affiliation or bond to Northern Ireland, rather than continually attempting to disrupt the international ambitions of Irish players born in the North, who are simply following their childhood dream of pulling on an Ireland shirt and representing their nation at the Aviva Stadium.
Scunthorpe United have extended the loan stay of Ireland U21 international Shane Duffy.
The Derry born centre-half has impressed during his month at Glanford Park and the Iron were keen to extend the deal.
Saturday's 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town was the 19-year-old's fourth appearance for United and Scunthorpe boss alan Knill has persuaded Premier League side Everton to allow him to remain on a month by month basis.
"I've spoken to Shane and he is benefiting from playing in someone's first team," said the Iron boss.
"It's better he plays in a competitive team that is playing quite well rather than the reserves.
"That's what they sent him to us for, to learn, and that's what he's doing. And I have to say, I think he's getting better.
"The thing I like most about him is when the ball comes into the box, he really wants to head it – before anybody else. He's a proper centre-half."
Both Duffy and fellow Iron Irish international Niall Canavan have been called up into the latest Ireland U21 squad.
The pair have been selected for the forthcoming UEFA 2013 European Championship Qualifier versus Liechtenstein which will take place on Tuesday, October 11.
Canavan is currently out of action with an ankle injury but, should he be fit, he will join up with the squad alongside Duffy the day after Scunthorpe's home clash with Leyton Orient.
The pair would then return to training ready for the away game at Brentford on Saturday, October 15.
Ireland U21 international Shane Duffy has secured a loan move to League one side Scunthorpe from Everton.
The 19-year-old Derry born defender is presently on international duty alongside fellow Scunthorpe centre-back Niall Canavan for the Ireland's U21 side who host Hungary tomorrow night in their opening 2013 UEFA qualifier, just three weeks after they produced a stunning comeback to defeat Austria 2-1 in a friendly at the same Sligo venue.
Duffy joined Everton's Academy as a 16-year-old and after progressing through the Goodison Park ranks made his first-team debut in a Europa League tie in December 2009.
The centre-back will link up with the Scunthorpe squad after returning from international duty next week and is likely to be contention for a starting birth when Sheffield United visit Glanford Park on September 10th.
Ireland U21 manager Noel King has confirmed his Ireland Under 21 squad for the friendly international with Austria in the Showgrounds, Sligo on Tuesday the 9th August. Leeds United full back Aiden White is a new addition to the squad, while goalkeeper Aaron McCarey links up at this level for the first time, following his performances at the UEFA Under 19 Finals in Romania last week.
The Austria friendly is a warm up for the upcoming 2013 UEFA European U21 Championship qualifiers against Hungary (home) and Turkey (away) on 1 and 6 September.
Also included in the squad is Derry born Everton central defender Shane Duffy who is tipped to go out on loan from the Toffees before the start of the season to gain valuable game time in the Championship.
Belfast born Dundalk midfielder Daniel Kearns is also included in the sixteen man squad after an eye-catching performance against Celtic in the Dublin Super Cup at the Aviva Stadium last Sunday. Dundalk manager Ian Foster was full of praise for the 19 year old former West Ham trainee after the Aviva Stadium performance:
"He was the best League of Ireland player against Celtic by a million miles, for me. It was a strange decision at the weekend to take him off after 74 minutes when, like I say, I thought he was the best player on the pitch in League of Ireland colours. But that game will have done him the world of good and it will have done his confidence the world of good.”
Kearns has been linked with a number of clubs in the UK in recent months, and just nearly a year after signing on at Oriel Park, the young winger could be about to make an exit, with his contract set to expire at the end of the current season. “We’re not going to stand in anybody’s way,” Foster said when asked if he felt the Belfast boy’s performance against Celtic had perhaps sealed a move back across the water. “If offers do come in for Daniel now, which wouldn’t surprise me, we’ll listen to them and we’ll do what’s best for Dundalk Football Club and for Daniel Kearns’ career. I’ve said this umpteen times to Daniel, that we’ll look after him, I wouldn’t be surprised if during the week one or two enquiries do come in.”
Ireland U21 squad
Goalkeepers
Aaron McCarey Wolverhampton Wnds
Ian McLoughlin MK Dons
Defenders
Niall Canavan Scunthorpe United
Mark Connolly Bolton Wanderers
Shane Duffy Everton
Gavin Gunning Scunthorpe United
Robert Kiernan Wigan Athletic
Enda Stevens Shamrock Rovers
Aiden White Leeds United
Midfielders
Adam Barton Preston North End
Conor Clifford Chelsea
Daniel Kearns Dundalk
Richie Towell Glasgow Celtic
Jeff Hendrick Derby County FC
Forwards
Aaron Doran Inverness Caledonian T
Joe Mason Cardiff City
Sean Scannell Crystal Palace
Robert Brady Manchester United FC (On-loan to Hull City FC)
Ireland U21 international Shane Duffy is determined to shake off the disappointment of defeat on his Burnley debut to push for the play-offs.
The 19-year-old Everton centre back made his league debut against Ipswich after signing on an initial 28-day loan.
And despite impressing, Duffy took no pleasure from the day, after seeing his side go down 2-1.
The Derry born Irishman feels that a top six place is still within Burnley’s reach however, although they have to start winning games as soon as possible.
A third defeat in four leaves them three points adrift of Reading in sixth, with eight games to play, and Duffy said: “We have to put this behind us.
“We know there aren’t that many games left.
“We’ve got a lot coming up now so hopefully we’ll get a few wins under our belt and we’re straight back in there.
“We’ve got to start winning our own games first and then we can focus on other teams.
“We’ve got to move on and try to win the next game.”
Duffy felt, despite a below-par team performance, Burnley didn’t deserve to lose to the Tractor Boys, who took a two-goal lead through first half goals from skipper David Norris and 18-year-old Connor Wickham, before Jay Rodriguez pulled one back with his 13th goal of the season 20 minutes from time: “We went through a little bad spell in the first half, which at the end of the day cost us the game.
“But I thought we’d started all right and didn’t deserve to lose.
“I thought we’d done enough to get something from it.
“We were on top for the whole second half, but for 15 to 20 minutes in the first half we just weren’t good enough and they punished us.
“I thought we were a better team than them but they took their chances, and Connor Wickham’s a handful.
“We’re disappointed we lost the game when we shouldn’t have.”
Duffy had made two Europa League appearances for Everton before Saturday’s league debut, and he was happy with how he fared: “It took me a bit of time to get into it, but I thought overall I did okay and hopefully I’ve done enough to progress.
“It was a great experience for me but at the end of the day it was all about the result and we didn’t get it.
“I’m delighted to be playing, but I’d rather have the three points.”
Selected ahead of the likes of Clarke Carlisle, Michael Duff and David Edgar, Duffy admitted it was a confidence boost to be selected by boss Eddie Howe: “I was delighted to get the nod to start.
“I’d got good centre halves ahead of me.
“It’s great confidence that the manager has in me.
“I’m just proud to play for Burnley and hopefully I can progress.”
His manager was also suitably impressed: “I thought Shane attacked the ball very well in the air.
“You can see that his game is one where he’ll give absolutely everything to the cause, so I was pleased with him.”
Everton's Irish U21 international Shane Duffy has joined promotion hopefuls Burnley on loan.
The 19-year-old Derry born centre half has been an unused substitute for David Moyes' side eight times this season. He has agreed an initial temporary move to Turf Moor before Thursday's deadline and will hope to build up his first-team experience.
Duffy joined Everton's Academy as a 16-year-old and after progressing through the Goodison Park ranks made his first-team debut in a Europa League tie in December 2009.
He will link up with the Burnley squad next week when he returns from Ireland Under 21 duty and could make his debut against Ipswich Town on 2nd April.
Ireland U21 manager Noel King has Included Coventry City goalkeeper Michael Quirke who receives his first Ireland international call-up as does Preston North End midfielder, Adam Barton.
Another notable inclusion in King's squad is the highly rated Arsenal midfielder, Conor Henderson who recently made an impressive first team debut for Arsenal in their FA Cup replay with Leyton Orient.
Everton centre back Shane Duffy and Chelsea on-loan midfielder Conor Clifford are also named in the 17 man squad.
Ireland squad
Ian McLoughlin - Stockport County FC (on loan from Ipswich Town)
Michael Quirke - Coventry City FC
Richie Towell - Hibernian FC (on loan from Celtic)
Shane Duffy - Everton FC
Gavin Gunning - Motherwell FC (on loan from Blackburn Rovers)
Shane O'Connor - Ipswich Town FC
Rob Kiernan - Wycombe Wanderers FC (on loan from Watford)
Damian McCrory - Dagenham & Redbridge FC
Adam Barton - Preston North End FC
Mark Connolly - Bolton Wanderers FC
Conor Henderson - Arsenal FC
Jamie Devitt - Hull City FC
Sean Scannell - Crystal Palace FC
Conor Clifford - Chelsea FC
James Collins - Shrewsbury Town FC
Joe Mason - Plymouth Argyle FC
Paddy Madden - Carlisle United FC
Everton boss David Moyes has yet to decide on the best loan move for promising Irish full back Shane Duffy.
Everton recently refused a loan request from League two side Northampton Town for the young central defender and a number of Championship sides including Preston and Leeds United, and League one side Southampton are believed to have approached the Toffee’s looking to take the 18 year old Ireland international on loan.
Preston manager Darren Ferguson has been linked with an approach for Duffy as he looks to shore up his goal-leaking defence, and he attended the Everton reserve game on Monday to monitor Duffy’s progress.
Speaking after last night's defeat to Barnsley, Ferguson said: “I'm hoping to get three bodies in and I will be on the phone all day on Wednesday - the positions will become clear when they are done deals.”
It remains to be seen if Duffy will be joining Ferguson at Deepdale, or if another Championship club is deemed more suitable for Duffy’s continued progress.
Everton boss David Moyes feels the time may now be right to send promising young Irish international Shane Duffy out on loan to gain first team experience.
The Toffees are believed to be willing to allow the Derry born defender to go on loan, although he clearly remains firmly in Moyes plans, having made the bench for the recent Premiership clash with Spurs at White Heart Lane.
No doubt Moyes decision was swayed by the positive impact a loan spell at Blackpool last season had on the development of fellow Irish international Seamus Coleman and feels a similar experience would be hugely beneficial to 18 year old Duffy.
Moyes said: “I'd like to put Shane out on loan. We've been keeping an eye on him at first (since his injury) and keeping him indoors. He's very good in the air though, and could have come on against Crouch (v Tottenham). If we find the right club he could go on loan.”
Duffy has been progressing well since his return from the serious injury he sustained in an Irish training game accident back in May.
Everton recently refused a loan request from League two side Northampton Town for the young central defender and he is likely to be on the radar of a host of clubs looking to take the player on loan, now that the Toffee’s boss has decided he has recuperated enough from his horror injury.
Ireland international Shane Duffy seems to be very much in the future plans of David Moyes after the Everton boss refused a request from Northampton Town to take the 18 year old central defender on loan.
Despite the return from injury of Phil Jagielka, Toffee’s boss Moyes is keen to keep the Derry born defender in his sights and its likely that Duffy will see first team football as the season progresses.
Duffy has made huge progress since his horror injury in May when he underwent life-saving surgery after suffering a freak accident in an Ireland training camp match, he suffered a laceration to his liver after colliding with Irish amateur team goalkeeper Adrian Walsh during the training match at Gannon Park.
Less than eight weeks after the injury, Duffy was back training at Everton and his progress has continued with his return as reserve team captain and his call up to the bench for the clash with Tottenham last weekend.
Earlier this month Duffy also played an important central defensive role as Ireland progressed to the elite stages of the European U19 championship with wins over Serbia and Luxemburg.
The Football Association of Ireland announced today that Derry's Shane Duffy has been declared eligible to play for Ireland.
Duffy's change of association had been held up by the IFA who had brought a case to the Court Of Arbitration For Sport in an attempt to try and block Irish citizens born in the North of Ireland from representing Ireland at international level.
The CAS Panel dismissed the IFA appeal against Belfast born player Daniel Kearns and confirmed the decision issued by the Single Judge of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee, which recognized that he was fully eligible to play for the national team of Ireland.
FAI statement:
The FIFA Player Status Committee passed its decision today to allow the player represent the national team of the FAI. Having considered the submission made by the FAI and the request from the player, the Single Judge of the Player Status Committee concluded that Shane Duffy is eligible to play for the FAI based on his Irish Nationality and the fact he had never represented the IFA’s association team at ‘A’ International Level previous to the application.
The IFA have lost their case with the Court Of Arbitration For Sport in which they were trying to prevent Irish players born in the North Of Ireland from representing Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland at international level. Despite FIFA making a number of rulings in favour of players like Derry’s Darron Gibson and Antrim’s Marc Wilson, the IFA took their case to CAS in a last ditch attempt to block Irish citizens from representing their country.
The Football Association of Ireland today (July 30) confirmed that it has won the case taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by the IFA in relation to Daniel Kearns.
The landmark ruling vindicates the FAI and FIFA position that players born within the island of Ireland are eligible to play for FAI international teams and provides complete and final clarity on the matter.
The Football Association of Ireland delegation which attended the hearing on July 19 in Switzerland was composed of John Delaney, CEO, Michael Cody, Honorary Secretary and Sarah O’Shea, Legal Director. The FAI was represented by Paul Gardiner SC and David Casserly BL. Daniel Kearns was represented by Gary Rice of Beauchamps.
The FAI thanks the many bodies which assisted it in this case including the Irish Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the Irish Sports Council, FIFA, UEFA, numerous elected representatives throughout the island of Ireland and many others.
The ruling comes into force with immediate effect and under the terms of the ruling, the IFA will pay all related costs. The FAI would like to take the opportunity to highlight that it has in recent years had good relations with the IFA. Those were maintained throughout this case and will continue into the future.
Welcoming the ruling, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said;
“Today’s landmark decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirms the FIFA and FAI position on player eligibility. The ruling upholds the right of individual choice on this matter for players born north of the border. I would like to thank the many people from all parts of the island who were strongly supportive during this process, and in particular, recognise the determination of Daniel Kearns and his family to uphold his right as an Irish citizen to play for his country.”
Ireland u21 international Shane Duffy has made an astonishing return to training with Everton this week, less than two months after his life-saving operation in Dublin's Mater Hospital.
The courageous 18 year-old Derry man has made a miraculous comeback from an injury that almost cost him his life after suffering a laceration to his liver during a training game with the Irish Amateur side on this day two months ago when representing the Ireland senior international side in Malahide.
And having amazed medical staff at the Mater Hospital and, indeed, at Goodison Park, the Glendale Park lad said he was 'happy' with the rapid progress of his recovery.
While his teammates have jetted off on a pre-season tour to Australia, the talented 6' 4'' central defender returned to light training this week under the close supervision of the Everton medical staff in Liverpool and he is now looking forward to a quick-fire return to competitive action.
In fact, Duffy is expected to make a full recovery from his horrific injury and will be allowed to resume full-time training over the next four to six weeks.
Already this week he has been back running, having completed a nine mile jog on Monday before taking part in light cardio sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday as he concentrates on regaining fitness before working on the psychological and physical aspects of his rehabilitation.
While Duffy had enjoyed a relaxing time at home with his family over the last two months, taking in plenty of football with the World Cup on television and making an appearance at the Brandywell Stadium for the Derry City FAI Cup defeat against Shamrock Rovers, he admitted he was 'getting bored' and was growing impatient for a return to action.
"I'm just happy to be back training again," said Shane yesterday. "It was nice to get a rest and watch the World Cup Finals in South Africa on television and take in some local football while I was back in Derry. It was nice for a while, but I was really getting really bored to be honest.
"But time seems to have flown since I returned to Liverpool. I've been back since Wednesday last week and I'm enjoying training again," he added.
The former Foyle Harps player has eased himself back to training and while he initially found it difficult, he now holds the view that he will join up with his Everton Reserves teammates for competitive football as early as next month before securing a possible loan move to a Championship club to continue his professional development.
"I went on a long run on Monday which I found hard enough and I'm doing sprints now which is good. I'm well rested and feeling much better. The medical staff here at Everton say I'll could be back in training in the next four to six weeks.
"I won't be back in full training for another few weeks yet, I'm just concentrating on getting my fitness back at the minute, that's my first aim. I'll then start looking at playing a couple of matches with the Reserves and maybe then get a loan move for the rest of the season, so we'll see how things go. That's what I'm hoping for now anyway," he declared.
While Duffy, who was named Everton Reserves' 'Player of the Season' will be allowed to resume ball work over the coming weeks, 'Toffees' staff won't be in a major rush to get him back to competitive action.
Everton visit the Sligo Showgrounds on Sunday, August 8th, as part of the deal which took Killybegs native and Duffy's close friend, Seamus Coleman, to Merseyside early last year and the Derry teenager is hoping to be included in the Everton squad which will travel to that game.
Reminiscing on that dramatic week back in May when he lost around two thirds of his blood supply after rupturing an artery, Duffy is thankful to be alive and insists he is forever indebted to the Republic of Ireland's team doctor, Gerry McEntee and the medical staff in the High Dependency Unit at the Mater Hospital who acted swiftly to save his life.
"It was a crazy time, a crazy week," he recalled. "I'm just grateful to everyone in the (Mater) hospital for everything they did for me," he concluded.
Young Ireland defender Shane Duffy has undergone life-saving surgery after suffering a freak accident in a training match last night.
The Everton teenager suffered a laceration to his liver after colliding with Irish amateur team goalkeeper Adrian Walsh during the clash at Gannon Park.
After being attended to on the pitch by team surgeon Professor John O’Byrne and team doctor Alan Byrne, he was rushed to nearby Mater Hospital where surgeon Gerry McEntee performed an emergency operation.
O’Byrne said: “Shane collided with a player in a way that you would see thousands of times in football matches. It was a freak injury that in another 100 years of medicine, we may never see again.
“Shane sustained a laceration to his liver and was rushed to the Mater hospital for emergency surgery. Gerry McEntee and the intensive care staff in the Mater must be credited for their expertise and fast response which in no uncertain terms saved Shane’s life.
“Shane was stabilised in intensive care after the surgery which stopped internal bleeding and this morning is conscious and is in the care of the Mater’s high-dependency unit having improved overnight.”
The 18-year-old had been scheduled to remain with Giovanni Trapattoni's senior squad, solely for training purposes, ahead of next week's friendly clashes against Paraguay and Algeria.
His injuries call to mind those suffered by Republic goalkeeper Shay Given in 2006 when, during his time at Newcastle, he collided with then West Ham striker Marlon Harewood and suffered injuries described as being consistent with a car crash.
Trapattoni, who made an early exit from the game between St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians at Richmond Park after hearing of Duffy’s accident, offered his thanks to Prof McEntee and his specialised crash team as well as the national side’s medical staff.
“I would like to thank Dr Alan Byrne and Prof. John O’Byrne for their quick reaction to Shane’s serious injury,” he said.
“As time was critical, had they not acted as they did, Shane’s life could have been in more danger than it already was.
“On behalf of the FAI, I would also like to praise Prof. Gerry McEntee for conducting the emergency operation and ensuring that Shane was given the best possible attention.”
“Shane is very lucky and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Duffy remains in the hospital’s High Dependency ward today. His blood pressure dropped to dangerously low levels during the operation but was controlled and he is expected to make a full recovery.
As international debuts go, it's hardly up there with scoring a hat-trick in your first Ireland game, a la David Kelly, or outshining the World Cup holders, as Paul McGrath did.
But one fact emerged from the training game between a fringe Ireland team and an U23 side made up of home-based players: Ireland have made a great discovery in Everton defender Shane Duffy.
With top-class Irish central defenders very hard to find at the top level, Duffy is a real find. He proved that last night as the Derry native was the stand-out player in the Ireland senior side which defeated the U23s 1-0 thanks to a 21st-minute goal from Anthony Stokes.
Duffy was the most inexperienced member of a back four, which included players with experience in the Champions League (Darren O'Dea), international football (Paul McShane) and the English Premier League (Manchester City's Greg Cunningham) but Duffy, with only two first-team appearances to show for his time at Everton, looked the part.
Duffy was the real find of the night and the man from Derry told the Herald that, after months of talk and discussion and media debate, he was relieved to just play a game in the shirt of Ireland, albeit an unofficial training game.
"I just wanted to get out there and play and I think I did OK," said Duffy. "It was a big thing for me to come down here and play for the Republic. It's something I always wanted to do and the lads in the squad and the staff were great with me, they really helped me settle in.
"I think myself and Darren O'Dea had a good partnership at centre half. Even though he's young Darren has a lot of experience. He's played in the SPL and the Champions League for Celtic and he's played for the Irish senior team before so that was great for me, to have someone like that beside me.
"It was a hard game for us as the U23 side were very sharp. They have some very good players in the side and they didn't just turn up for the sake of it. They took the game to us and that's what we needed," added Duffy.
The 18-year-old made his Everton debut last December during their Europa League campaign but since then he's been starved of football, apart from occasional matches for the Toffees reserves, so he was happy to be out on the field.
"I just needed a game, I haven't played much football in the last while," Duffy added. "Last season went well for me. I got my Everton debut, played two games and won a player of the year award so it was a great season and being here with the Republic has finished it off nicely.
"The conditions in Malahide last night weren't easy, but we still had a decent game," added Duffy.
Anthony Stokes scored the only goal in last night's training match, to give Giovanni Trapattoni's senior Ireland training squad victory over the Ireland u23 team.
The Hibernian attacker fired home from 25 yards midway through the first-half after Cillian Sheridan raided down the left flank and cut the ball across the edge of the box into Stokes' path.
The Irish Under-23s were unlucky not to earn a draw as substitute Paddy Madden had the ball in the net 17 minutes from time but he was adjudged to have been offside when Gary McCabe sent him through on goal.
Trapattoni has said that most of the development players will also hang around for the double header of friendly internationals at the RDS next week.
Ireland Seniors: Westwood (Coventry City); McShane (Hull City), Duffy (Everton), O'Dea (Celtic), Cunningham (Manchester City); Stokes (Hibernian), Fahey (Birmingham City), Green (Derby County), Long (Reading); Sheridan (Celtic), Best (Newcastle United) . Subs: J. Murphy (Scunthorpe United) for Westwood (h/t), Lawrence (Stoke City) for Sheridan (58 mins.), Foley (Wolverhampton Wanderers) for Fahey (66 mins.).
Ireland Under-23s: Quigley (Sporting Fingal); Kelly (Dundalk), Browne (Sporting Fingal), Mulcahy (Cork City), Powell (Bohemians); Sheppard (Galway United), O'Donnell (Galway United), Finn (Sporting Fingal), Williams (Sporting Fingal), Dennehy (Shamrock Rovers); Faherty (St. Patrick's Athletic). Subs: Duggan (Shamrock Rovers) for Quigley, Bermingham (Shamrock Rovers) for Powell, Bolger (UCD) for Williams, Chambers (Shamrock Rovers) for Finn, Gaynor (Dundalk) for Sheppard, McCabe (Sligo Rovers) for Dennehy (all at half-time), Amond (Sligo Rovers) for Kelly and Madden (Bohemians) for Faherty (both 60 mins.).
Everton boss David Moyes is set to put his faith in Shane Duffy as Everton enter a pivotal spell in the Blues boss’ Goodison reign.
