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Shane Duffy: It's a cup final...

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Shane Duffy: It's a cup final against Denmark next month


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Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy is remaining positive that the Boys in Green can get the job done and qualify for Euro 2020. 

Duffy put the ball into his own net in the 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Geneva last night, as Mick McCarthy's men missed the opportunity to reach next summer's finals with one game to spare.

On his return from a calf injury, Derry native Duffy produced admirable performances in Tbilisi and Geneva, and was one of the few standout players as the Boys in Green took just one point from a possible six over 180 minutes of football.

It all means that Ireland must defeat Denmark at Lansdowne Road on Monday November 18th to qualify automatically from Group D. Anything less and a play off is on the cards next March.

Shane Duffy was frustrated with the slow start from the visiting team which allowed the Swiss to open a 1-0 lead through Haris Seferovic: 

"We started sloppy and the pitch was terrible, but that's no excuse. It shouldn't take us until half time to go and say 'go for it', but that's what happened and we did go for it. We didn't get the goal, but we kept trying and we've got one game left and we know if we win it, we're there."

"It's a cup final. If we take that second half performance into Denmark at home, we know the Aviva is going to be rocking, everyone's going to be up for it. We're one game away from the Euros and a couple of games in Ireland hopefully. You have got to have belief and that's what I've got."

Duffy also had words of praise for his Brighton team-mate Aaron Connolly: 

"He's been great. I am delighted for him, because he does work hard and has a good head on his shoulders. It was a tough game for him to come in to tonight, where the whole of Ireland expected so much of him. You'll see more from him. Hopefully he goes back to Brighton now and keeps doing what he is doing and he'll be ready for Denmark. He is going to be an important player for the next few years for us and if we keep him firing, then it's only going to be better for Ireland."


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