PATRICK McELENEY HAS generated the vast majority of the headlines from a Dundalk point of view so far this season, but another Derry native has also been making a significant impact for the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions.
Michael Duffy scored and picked up the man-of-the-match award in last Friday’s 3-1 victory at home to Drogheda United in the Louth derby. It was another fine display for Stephen Kenny’s side by the 22-year-old winger.
“I’ve been impressed with him every time I’ve seen him,” former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr said of Duffy last night on RTÉ’s Soccer Republic. “He’s come in, big boots to fill replacing Daryl Horgan, who was outstanding in the last few seasons. A really good addition for Stephen Kenny’s team and he has started well when it’s not so easy.”
Horgan’s departure for Preston North End over the winter was a significant blow for the Lilywhites, and while they currently trail leaders Cork City by six points, Dundalk fans aren’t likely to have many complaints about the calibre of the man who’s been brought in to fill the number seven shirt that was vacated by the Irish international.
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Duffy engineered the opening that allowed Dane Massey to provide an assist for David McMillan to put Dundalk ahead against Drogheda. McMillan then crossed for Duffy to double their advantage with his second goal for Dundalk, having also been on target in their recent 4-0 victory away to Sligo Rovers.
After impressing during two seasons with Derry City, Duffy was transferred to Celtic in February 2015 for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £100,000. Dundalk completed a move to bring him back to the League of Ireland before the start of this season.
Duffy was unable to make the breakthrough at Parkhead but he did play regularly during loan spells at Dundee and Alloa Athletic, for whom he scored the winner in a 1-0 win against Hibernian, as well as the opener in a 1-1 draw with Rangers at Ibrox.
Duffy has represented both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at underage level. He was called into the latter’s senior squad by manager Michael O’Neill for their World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic last September.
