Duffy upbeat, says Keane

ROBBIE KEANE says it was a positive experience to visit Shane Duffy inhospital this week as the young defender continues to recover after the training ground accident last week which almost claimed his life.

“It was the first time I’d actually ever met him,” said the Irish captainyesterday.

“He was very upbeat. The lads went during the week and said he obviously wasn’t looking very well, but when I went in yesterday he was fine, there was colour in his face although he is obviously still in a little bit of pain. It was certainly nice to see them. He is a very nice lad.

“Considering what happened to him he is very upbeat and he’s already looking forward to getting back playing. His family was there as well and they are a lovely, lovely family. I felt it was only right as captain to go in – myself, the manager, Marco (Tardelli) and (fitness coach) Fausto (Rossi) went in. It was good to see him, he was looking well and he’s a very, very lucky boy.”

Meanwhile, Giovanni Trapattoni revealed that he will reluctantly miss a commemorative mass in Turin tomorrow to mark the 25th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster.

Trapattoni was the manager of the Juventus team which beat Liverpool in the European Cup final on May 29, 1985 but the game was rendered meaningless by the terrible events before kick-off which saw 39supporters lose their lives.

Trapattoni said that he had received an invitation to the commemorative ceremonies in Turin but had written back to apologise and say he could not attend because he will still be in Dublin.

“I would have gladly taken part,” he said. “I remember very well this moment (Heysel). I would have gone if I was there.”