Shane Duffy’s training ground exchange with Roy Keane shows how far Derryman has come

Shane Duffy has become an indispensable member of the Republic of Ireland squad.

Since being handed his debut by Martin O'Neill in 2014, the centre-back has grown into the green jersey, so much so that he was named FAI Senior Player of the Year on Sunday night. But it hasn't always been smooth sailing. Back in May 2010, when Duffy was just coming through at Everton, a serious collision with a goalkeeper during a training match resulted in him losing over three litres of blood. He was forced to undergo emergency surgery after lacerating his liver, later admitting that he thought he was going to die. After such a terrifying brush with the unknown, Duffy was determined to make it at for both club and country, but it didn't exactly go to plan. Duffy struggled to establish himself in Everton's first-team and, following loan spells at Burnley, Scunthorpe United and Yeovil Town, he joined Blackburn Rovers. Around the time of his switch to Ewood Park, O'Neill became convinced of Duffy's international credentials, rewarding him with his first cap during the summer tour to the USA in 2014. Since then, while Duffy has made 17 appearances, becoming increasingly influential as a key member of Ireland's back-line. His solid form with Brighton in the Premier League, where he faces some of the world's finest attacking players on a weekly basis, has certainly helped and the 26-year-old now feels at home playing for Ireland. It's a striking contrast to Duffy's formative years at Everton, during which he admitted he would be overcome with nerves and shake while he was out on the pitch.