Duffy can be a star man in the years to come, insists O’Shea
NOWADAYS, John O’Shea’s Republic of Ireland brief is very much a watching one and, while he would of course like more of an involvement on the pitch, observing performances like Ciaran Clark’s and, in particular, Shane Duffy’s in Cardiff will go some way to easing whatever frustrations may exist.
O’Shea (36) has long been a reliable stalwart for his country, but Duffy and Clark have taken over the mantle to good effect.
At the other end of the pitch, the changing of the guard from Robbie Keane hasn’t quite been as seamless, but Martin O’Neill’s first choice centre-back partnership, as well as Darren Randolph, repaid the faith that the manager has shown in them.
Duffy’s raw power has been evident from a young age, but he has had to work on eradicating the sloppy errors from his game.
Against Wales he came of age with a towering display that was full of the kind of leadership that this Republic team craves. The 25-year old led from the front and was noticeably very vocal.
“He was like a magnet,” O’Shea said of Duffy. “Incredible, we know it has been in there. It’s been coming. He’s shown it for Brighton and long may it continue because he’s going to be a big, big player in the future for Ireland, as he is now.
“You have to produce it in the big games, this was a huge game and he was incredible. A magnet.”
Duffy reflected: “It’s a super feeling. Maybe it was just my night and I felt I stepped up. It wasn’t just me. I had so much protection. The lads in front of me were outstanding and Randolph pulled off a great save.”
O’Shea maintained: “The key word is faith, the faith he (O’Neill) has in everyone.
“When he selects players, they know they have to do a job for him and they trust that. That trust gets stronger and stronger.
“You see the players popping up with goals when they do — they have that belief and trust in the players around them.”
Duffy echoed O’Shea’s sentiments, adding: “The boss is brilliant. He’s had so many biggame experiences. He makes you calm and gets you up for it. We believe. We’re not the prettiest team to watch but we’ve got the belief inside that we can beat anyone, literally anyone.”
≈ FIFA are to investigate an alleged headbutt by Robbie Brady on Wales defender Ashley Williams.
The incident occurred in the 61st-minute of Monday night’s game in Cardiff and should Brady be charged he will miss the first leg of next month’s playoff.
It would be a further blow for the Republic after David Meyler, their skipper on the night, picked up a suspension for a dangerous tackle on Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessey late in the game.