Duffy: I’m happy to be alive

Republic of Ireland and Everton defender Shane Duffy left the Mater Hospital on Friday and declared: “I’m so happy to be alive.”

The eighteen year old was involved in a horrific collision with Ireland amateur keeper, Adrian Walsh in a training match which caused a laceration to his liver and caused him to lose two thirds of his blood.

It has since emerged that Duffy was lucky not to have died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision and after being discharged from hospital on Friday afternoon, the Derry youngster spoke of his relief that the frightening experience was behind him.

“This time last week I was going to have an operation. That was scary. It’s been a crazy week. The pain is easing now and I feel a lot better. When it happened it was a blur. I woke up Friday night and was told I had an operation. Mum and Dad were telling me I nearly died, it was crazy,” said Duffy.

Duffy revealed that he was visited in hospital by Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni as well as captain Robbie Keane and other members of the squad.

“When Robbie came in I was still sleeping”, he said. “To see the manager was brilliant and Robbie who’s a top man. All the lads were top class to come in.”

The Everton youngster was full of praise for the FAI medical team and the staff at the Mater Hospital and said he hopes to be back playing within a few months.

“I can’t thank the FAI enough, and the nurses and the staff at the hospital. Hopefully I’ll be back playing in four to five months. I’ll take it easy, I won’t rush back. I’ll take a rest back home, take a holiday and go back to Everton in July”.