Captain Duffy expects young Ireland crop to peak for Euro 2028
Ireland’s captain against Greece Shane Duffy has predicted the current batch to peak for Euro 2028 – even if his involvement then is restricted to kitman.
Séamus Coleman’s injury-enforced absence keeps the armband in Duffy’s possession and he’s excited by what surrounds him in the current Ireland squad.
Their precocious talent has to click into a cohesive unit capable of achieving consistent results but Duffy is predicting a bright future, spearheaded by his former Brighton and Hove Albion teammate, Evan Ferguson.
That the centre-back, who turns 32 in January, is the only member in the squad for the double-header against Greece tonight and Gibraltar Monday who played at Euro 2016 illustrates the changing profile of the panel.
Coleman was in France and so too were Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady and James McClean, yet the trio were overlooked for this gathering.
John Egan didn’t make the cut seven years ago and is out injured but another left behind by Martin O’Neill, Matt Doherty, will start tonight at Aviva Stadium. He’s just a few weeks younger than Duffy.
“We've got a really exciting future because the majority of the squad is going to be here for the next ten years,” said Duffy.
“This is the first squad I’ve been in as the eldest player – a new role to take on and try to lead by example around the place.
“I try to do it anyway when Séamus is not here we're missing John as well, so we're missing a few big characters.
“But the younger boys are their own characters in their own way. I don't look at them as young boys any more, they've got experience around the place.”
Ferguson (18) is joined by Gavin Bazunu (21) and Nathan Collins (21) as the trio expected to backbone Ireland once the FAI make the anticipated
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