DUFFY’S CALL-UP DREAM
In-form Dundalk star wants to follow Hoops ace Burke into O’neill’s international reckoning
MICHAEL DUFFY is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Shamrock Rovers star Graham Burke after winning the Airtricity Player of the Month award for April.
Dundalk striker Duffy won the award for the first time in his career by topping the poll ahead of Derry City’s Aaron Mceneff and Bohemians’ Dylan Watts.
And after seeing Burke - who won the award in March - named in Martin O’neill’s Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming friendly games with Celtic, France and the USA, the 23-yearold admitted he would love to follow suit.
“It (international football) hadn’t really crossed my mind, to be honest, but obviously seeing Graham Burke called into the squad has made me think about it,” said Duffy.
“I played with the Northern Ireland under-21s for three years and then I was called up to the senior squad a year and a half ago.
“I was in two squads but didn’t play but international football would be massive for me and hopefully someday I’ll get a call.
“If I could, I’d love to play for the Republic of
Ireland,” he added.
“To play for your country would be huge so it’d be great to get a call-up.”
Duffy’s form has understandably led to talk about a move back to the UK.
He left his hometown club, Derry City, to join Celtic back in 2015 but he failed to make the breakthrough and after loan spells at Alloa and Dundee, he returned to the League of Ireland at the start of last season.
Duffy, however, said he had not been put off by his experience of life in Scotland.
“I still enjoyed my time over there even though I know it didn’t go as planned. I obviously would have loved to have played with Celtic but it just didn’t work out.
“It’s a huge club. Maybe I went to a club that was too big really but I still enjoyed it over there and learned a lot from it.
“I’m back enjoying my football now and that’s the main thing.” Dundalk fans will certainly be hoping that the flying winger stays put.
Duffy has become an integral part of Stephen Kenny’s side, hitting eight goals so far this season to help the Louth club to the top of the SSE Airtricity League table.
“I’m delighted with that and I’ll be looking to get into double figures this year,” he said.
“Stephen Kenny wants me to get more goals, more important goals and more assists.
“I could have a few more goals, I’ve missed a few chances and although you will always miss a few, hopefully I can push on now and keep scoring.”
“Everything is going well at the minute,” he added.
“I have been a lot more consistent this season than I was last year and that’s what I am looking to do.
“I just want to keep this form up, playing in as many games as I can and scoring goals.”