It's been quite a good day for Shane Duffy. First of all, he has been retained in Martin O'Neill's 33 man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia, putting him right into contention for a place in the Euro 2016 squad.
The news that he has made O'Neill's finalised squad came an hour after his last-gasp winner for Blackburn in their Championship clash with Brentford. When technological development updates the Oxford English Dictionary to define words entirely through the use of GIFs, Duffy's strike will be filed under 'archetype':
ABSOLUTE LIMBS@ShaneDuffy34's late @OneRovers' goal causes mass celebration
See more goals on @channel5_tv, 9pm. https://t.co/G5UEnnuj8d— Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) March 19, 2016
Great strike. It is also a serious change in fortunes for Duffy. A fortnight ago, Duffy apologised to Rovers supporters for giving away a penalty in the final minute of Blackburn's derby with bitter rivals Burnley. Today, however, the mood was much better, as Duffy captured an unlikely victory for a Rovers side who were down to ten men following the dismissal of Grant Hanley:
What a shift from the lads that was top drawer, clean sheet away win and a goal happy days 😀😀 @OneRovers
— Shane Duffy (@shaneduffy) March 19, 2016
One of the best games I've ever been involved in ! @ShaneDuffy34 what a finish👏🏻👏🏻 @OneRovers
— Darragh Lenihan (@darragh_lenihan) March 19, 2016
A frenetic goal met with an equally frantic celebration, which Duffy saw yellow for. Not that he cared, of course:
Shane Duffy will never hit a ball as sweet as that. His celebrations with the superb 782 away fans were well worth a booking. #rovers
— Paul Wheelock (@PaulWheelock) March 19, 2016
Shane Duffy: "I might as well shoot rather than using my head. To get a winner like that, it was worth the booking. The fans deserved that."
— Paul Wheelock (@PaulWheelock) March 19, 2016
If Duffy can take his Rovers form to International level, he will give Martin O'Neill a serious selection headache at centre-back at the Euros.
