I nearly stayed on for Trap, says Duff

Damien Duff has revealed Giovanni Trapattoni almost persuaded him to reconsider his international retirement and said that the manager “couldn’t have done more” to try to make him change his mind.

The Fulham winger, who earned his 100th cap on what turned out to be his last game for his country — against Italy at Euro 2012 — also said that Ireland’s unhappy experience at the tournament had no bearing on his decision to hang up the green shirt.

“It was no reflection on the Euros,” he said. “I had more or less decided before them and not for any particular reason — not for my body, my family, or to spend time with my kids, I have the rest of my life with them. I just listened to my gut, my heart, call it what you want, and a million per cent, I believe it’s the right time.