Brighton will need Duffy’s class to survive

IT took a rare disaster to bring the excellence of Shane Duffy into focus.

He got sent off playing for Brighton against Crystal Palace this week in an incident that left Chris Hughton unhappy.

‘There is no hiding place for what Shane Duffy did. He knows better than that because he is an experienced international player. No one will know more than him that he can’t get away with that.’

Brighton won the match 3-1 despite playing most of it without Duffy, and that is testament to the welldrilled side Hughton has produced.

But his frustration with Duffy comes from the understanding that Brighton will not survive too many challenges without him.

He has been outstanding this season in a side that is playing beyond its means.

The speculation linking him with bigger clubs has followed, and while there can be a rudimentary look to his style at times, he is reasonably fast, aggressive and strong.

They remain vital defensive virtues in the Premier League – as Man United and Arsenal fans would agree after their chaotic meeting.

There is an Irish dividend, too. In Duffy and Seamus Coleman, Mick McCarthy can find comfort in the makings of a good foundation for the new team he must now be planning.