While most Irish fans are now comfortably over the Thierry Henry handball incident that sparked so much ridiculousness from all corners, it's always interesting to get the perspective of someone who was on the pitch for that unforgettable night in Paris.
The image of a crying Duffer saluting the Irish supporters after the final whistle was gut-wrenching at the time and is burned into the brain of those who shared his pain on that night, as that was sort of known to be the last chance for the majority of that squad to play at a World Cup.
That fact was the reason for Duff's tears, rather than the manner of Ireland's elimination, as he revealed in an interview for the new issue of FourFourTwo.
When asked about the infamous handball, Duff revealed that he has no problem with Henry, or what he did that night, admitting that he would have done the same thing if the opportunity had presented itself.
It was incredible in this day and age that someone could get away with it, but if it was down the other end I’d have done it, too.
He was playing the game, so I’ve no problem with Thierry Henry. But I was distraught. After 2002 I always thought I’d go to another World Cup, but I never did.
We all did, Duffer. We all did.
What's funny is that amidst all the Henry outrage, most Irish fans knew full-well that had the reverse happened we would be celebrating it like an act of heroism, but we rarely need an excuse to find someone to blame and Henry was public enemy number one. Nobody who played the game seemed to have any sort of problem with Henry, but the fans, media, and of course John Delaney were in no rush to move on initially.
Over time, that hatred has faded. Nowadays most Irish fans dislike Henry for talking out of his hoop on Sky Sports rather than actually hold a grudge against him for the handball, but like Toto Schillaci in Italia 90, his name will always be a part of Irish football history.
Although Toto's only crime was being good.. Maybe Dudu Aouate is a better comparison, as we love a bit of timewasting from the boys in green, don't we?
