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Soccer

Shane Duffy: "There's no better feeling trying to defend for your country"

"I know James McClean was superb tonight but Shane Duffy, honest to God, what a performance from ...



Shane Duffy: "There's...
Soccer

Shane Duffy: "There's no better feeling trying to defend for your country"

"I know James McClean was superb tonight but Shane Duffy, honest to God, what a performance from him tonight. Amazing, amazing performance." 

That's how Kevin Kilbane saw it as he described a terrific centre back performance from Shane Duffy in Cardiff as Ireland picked up a win that sends us into the 2018 FIFA World Cup playoffs. 

After the match, the man himself spoke to Off The Ball's Philip Egan as he soaked in the achievement. 

"I just tried to keep it basic, simple. There's no better feeling trying to defend for your country," said Duffy of a showing that saw him heading dangerous Welsh crosses away all night.

Ireland's Robbie Brady and Shane Duffy celebrate after the game ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

"It fell for me tonight. I've had highs and lows and it's just a high but you can't get too high and I'm just going to enjoy the moment and get my head back on because there's another big game on Sunday [for Brighton]."

The Co Derry native spoke about the tight compact nature of the team and defending deep on the night.

"They're a good team and you don't want to give them too much space and if it's all in front of you, you're happy. It's going to have to be a wonder ball to beat us, so you defend the crosses well and set pieces and as I said, we defended well as a team," he said.

"I thought we tried our best to keep us up [the pitch] but against top teams, sometimes you've got to drop in and soak up the pressure and we did."

He added that the "team thrives off big games like this", also praising the togetherness within the squad.

"Shane Duffy, honest to God" - Kevin Kilbane was in awe of the Ireland defender's Cardiff show

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