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Shane Duffy leaves the pitch after being shown a red card. Thanassis Stavrakis

'I felt like I could play at this level'

Blackburn defender Shane Duffy made his second competitive start for Ireland today.

- Paul Fennessy reports from Lyon

PLAYING AT EURO 2016 has been a memorable experience for Shane Duffy, even if it did end in disappointment ultimately.

The 24-year-old Blackburn defender starred in Ireland’s win over Italy, while after an outstanding first half against France earlier, things turned sour very quickly for Duffy and the rest of the team.

The Derry native was sent off for stopping Antoine Griezmann from running through on goal, and Ireland struggled to recover subsequently.

“Scoring so early maybe changed it a bit,” Duffy said, reflecting on today’s match. “We were cautious with how good they were and the players they have. Obviously we had a 1-0 lead against a team that easily could go on to win this tournament. You always think ‘be cautious’. We had a good first half and then there were 10 or 15 minutes in the second half when we lost the game.”

And while towards the end of the first half, Ireland appeared to be clinging on to their lead, with both Duffy and Stephen Ward having to make superb last-ditch blocks to deny from Dimitri Payet and Griezmann respectively, the defender says the team were feeling comfortable at half-time.

“We said the start of the second half is important. They are a good team and they made a change. They went two up front and it made a difference for them. They have got good players.

“We probably could have done more for the goals as a team. It’s disappointing but we have to take the positive out of it.”

Duffy, of course, is more accustomed to Championship football with Blackburn. However, he was thrown in at the deep-end for his competitive international debut against Italy in which he earned a clean sheet and rave reviews, and the centre-back was up against world-class players again on Sunday.

Yet while the game ultimately ended in heartbreak for Ireland, and notwithstanding his red card, Duffy has looked impressive for the most part in France.

“I felt like I could play at this level. I felt comfortable out there. I feel like I have done alright, but the red card hasn’t helped me. I have tried to make a challenge for the ball.

“It’s difficult because if I don’t make it or if I leave it they score. It’s football. It’s matter of inches. It was difficult for me, but I feel like I can play here. It’s been a great experience for me coming in so late. To play a part is special.

“The Italian game was special to make it through the group. It’s special to be here in such a big game on the world stage and to play a part on it. It’s disappointing for the way it finished for me in the second half. I’ll stay positive after it. I’ll hold my head up high after it and learn from my mistakes and try to do better next time.”

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13 Comments
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    Mute Sean Minogue
    Favourite Sean Minogue
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    Jun 26th 2016, 10:33 PM

    Fair f**ks to him. He had a great 2 games and in fairness he had to make that tackle. Onwards and upwards

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    Mute ryan o sullivan
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    Jun 26th 2016, 10:38 PM

    Legend , proud to be irish

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    Mute John Duggan
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    Jun 26th 2016, 11:00 PM

    Got stuck in.otherwise might have been 3-1.good lat shane

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    Mute John Duggan
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    Jun 26th 2016, 11:00 PM

    Lad

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    Mute AdrianMacPartland
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    Jun 26th 2016, 11:24 PM

    Saw him play u21s a few times and thought he would never make it.. Delighted to be so wrong, the future for us, great player

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    Mute Declan Snow
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    Jun 26th 2016, 11:44 PM

    Will be the rock in our defence for the next 8-10 years. He made the mistake for the second goal but he’s only young and showed a lot of quality over the 2 games. Had to make the challenge that got him sent off, no hard feelings for that. Needs to make the move to the premier league and get tested week in week out against top strikers. His size is a major asset.

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    Mute JJ Ryan
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    Jun 26th 2016, 11:52 PM

    Can only improve. Might be better for him to stay at blackburn and play every week rather than in the squad at a premier league club for a year

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    Mute Mickey McArdle
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    Jun 26th 2016, 11:52 PM

    I’d rather he went to a higher standard of league than the Prem, Germany or Spain would be ideal

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    Mute Ron Koeman
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    Jun 27th 2016, 10:09 AM

    I think you have to go back further then that , it was McClean who lost the lost very cheaply by passing it straight to a French player which went on to cause the goal , he was also at fault for one of the Belgium goal too for the same reason

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    Mute emily davison
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    Jun 26th 2016, 11:32 PM

    Monster of a man, if the soccer team don’t want him the rugby team could use him

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    Mute Cillian O'Connell
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    Jun 27th 2016, 1:18 AM

    Didn’t Roy say it before the Italy game, you go for the ball, but if you miss the ball you best be sure to take the man. I don’t agree with cynical play but he did what he was told to do by his coaches and kept us in the game. Fair play to him, good prospect.

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    Mute Teddington
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    Jun 27th 2016, 6:50 AM

    Yep, Clark lost his place in the team for thst mistake! Hendricks should have walked yesterday too for the same thing Late on in the game.

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    Mute Tumbleweed
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    Jun 27th 2016, 12:01 AM

    Cannot see Spanish club gagging for him ! Typical that we go overboard when we get a few kicks of the ball . It’s as if we are not expecting to be in the park at all . Do you think we have any player who would make the English squad ?

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