Soccer:Shane Duffy was today looking to the future a week after coming within seconds of losing his life. The 18-year-old Everton defender was left fighting for his life last Friday evening after a freak accident during a Republic of Ireland training game in Malahide.
But he left Dublin’s Mater Hospital this afternoon after making a rapid recovery following emergency surgery, and admitted he was simply glad to be alive.
Speaking outside the hospital, he said: “This time last week, I thought I wouldn’t be here, so I have to realise I am here and I have to look at the bigger picture.
“I am just here to thank all the medical staff who saved my life. (surgeon) Gerry McEntee, (Ireland team doctor) Alan Byrne and (Ireland team surgeon Professor) John O’Byrne saved my life.
“I just want to thank everyone in this hospital for everything they have done. They saved my life.
“This time last week, I was in there having an operation and it was a scary time. I just have to thank everyone.
“It’s been a crazy time, a crazy week.”
Duffy was hurt in a seemingly innocuous collision with Irish Amateur team keeper Adrian Walsh, and collapsed in agony on the pitch at Malahide United’s Gannon Park home.
Dr Byrne and Professor O’Byrne, who was among the spectators, quickly realised the damage was serious and rushed the defender to hospital, where it was discovered 3.6 litres of blood - around two-thirds of his total supply - had leaked into his abdomen from his ruptured hepatic artery.
That led to a sudden and dramatic fall in his blood pressure which might have proved fatal had A&E staff not managed to stabilise him.
Duffy said: “I really didn’t know what had happened, it was a blur. I woke up on Friday night with the operation done, but my mum and dad were telling me that I had nearly died last night. It was crazy.
“But everyone in there was top-class, and I can’t thank the FAI enough, the nurses and the staff.
“Alan and John were the first two to get to me and realise how serious it was.
“I am so happy to be alive now.”
Duffy has been inundated by messages of support from his Everton team-mates, and was visited in hospital by the Ireland squad and later, manager Giovanni Trapattoni and skipper Robbie Keane.
He said: “I was speechless. When they walked in, I didn’t know because I was still sleeping. But when I saw the manager and Robbie there...
“Robbie is a top lad — all the lads were top, to be fair. The day before, they all came, about 14 of them, and I couldn’t ask for any more of them.
“All the (Everton) lads have been in touch. Everyone has been so supportive - I can’t get over how much people care about it.”
Duffy now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but hopes to return to action within five months.
He said: “I am getting there now. The pain has gone a bit, it’s easing off and hopefully over the next couple of months, I can recover well and get back playing.
“Hopefully, in four to five months, I will be back playing. I will take it easy, just not rush it back.”
Duffy was philosophical after his near-death experience, and attached no blame to Walsh over the incident which might have proved so costly.
He said: “It happens in football - it’s not like he meant to do it. It was just one of those things that happen.”