“So hopefully we can put that right this time”.
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We’re here to take over!
Despite heading into the match on the back of a disappointing loss, the assistant coach offered assurances they will prove a match for anyone in France.
“We’ve worked hard to get here, we’ve come from a difficult situation in the group to qualify”. As Duffy said, he just kept his head down and concentrated on furthering his club experience. “Hopefully there’s a lot more to come”. “I’m delighted that it’s him saying it”, said Duffy.
Jon Walters was back on the field for Ireland as they trained before an adoring crowd under blazing sunshine in Versailles.
Shane Duffy will complete a long and arduous journey if he gets the chance to go into Euro 2016 battle with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Monday evening.
“When you think that you are coming in on Wednesday, I think you forget the competition actually starts quickly, and the weekend will fly in, I bet you”. That’s part of football.
“We’re fully focused on that Sweden game and we’ll try to not let the occasion get to us”.
The striker is without a club for next season and, amid links to Manchester United, will be relishing the chance to shine on the global stage. A few months ago he would have been touch and go to make the squad. I did alright and played the next game.
With apparently so little to choose between them, and with both sides knowing how important the result will be, it’s tempting to imagine a low scoring, gritty game, and with both of these sides having drawn three of their qualifiers 1-1, that looks like an obvious call in the Correct Score market @ [7.0].
The Derry man is quiet spoken and modest and has repeatedly expressed his delight at being involved with Ireland in this tournament.
A place on the teamsheet will pit Duffy against one of the world’s most talented strikers in Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“But I have played against a few – the likes of [Jamie] Vardy and the likes of Harry Kane”. I’m still learning the game. I feel like I have done all right.
The Irish also emerged – again via the play-offs – after a bruising qualifying group that saw them lose just once in four encounters against Germany and Poland, including a famous 1-0 Dublin success over the world champions.
“I had a good game I think”. It is a proud moment for the whole squad, getting here.
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“It’s a reward now because I’m here and it’s the biggest thing in my career so far”. They have got some great players.
