Delighted Duffy takes it all in his stride
It's been well documented that having played for Northern Ireland as far as U21 level, he became the subject of an acrimonious tug-o-war after his February 2010 decision to switch his international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.
But the tall defender took it in his stride and simply enjoyed the build-up to the draw against Costa Rica like any other game. Something that will stand to him as he faces a make-or-break year with Everton.
"Yeah. It's been a long four years," he admitted yesterday at the team hotel in Jersey City. "I was just focusing on club football to see if I could get back to where I was, and hopefully this season I have shown that.
"I was delighted for a start. Obviously when you start playing football, you want to play for your country, so I was delighted when it actually came.
"I thought I did all right in the game, some good things, some bad things, but it's the first step and hopefully I can do better stuff.
"Playing the other night was sort of a reward for four years ago, what happened, so I was just delighted. I am made up to be even in the squad, so to play was a dream.
"(Martin O'Neill) said I did some good things and I did some bad things which I need to improve on, which is what you want to hear because hopefully that means he cares about me, so it was good.
"I felt comfortable out there… For me, it's just a game of football, but you have to concentrate a lot more and if you make one mistake, you get punished at international level.
"But hopefully if I play more, I can make not as many mistakes and hopefully continue on.
"I felt like I was ready for it, just from the season. I would have been nervous if I hadn't played football all year and then had just been thrown in… I felt ready and hopefully I didn't disappoint myself."
He can now eye up the possibility of a second cap against stiffer opposition should O'Neill opt to have another look at the 22-year-old, especially considering the paucity of options at the back.
That fact was highlighted by James McClean's cameo at full-back on Friday after Marc Wilson went off injured.
Wilson has remained with the squad for treatment but will not play tomorrow night. Stephen Ward arrived in New Jersey on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, midfielder Glenn Whelan has returned home due to his daughter taking ill.
On a lighter note, Duffy pointed out the strangeness of seeing McClean in the back line alongside him.
"That was the last thing I wanted," he remarked laughing. "But fair play to him, he did alright, he was good going forward. You know what he's like, he gives everything for his country and I was buzzing to play in the same team as him."
Duffy's cap continues a growing trend of Derry influence on the national team.
"It's about time aye," he smiled. "It always has been a good city for football. It's good there's a few young players coming through. It's always good to see your hometown doing well. It's another boost… we'll have our own five-a-side!"
And naturally as a fan of Celtic like his young compatriots from the city and nearby, he grew up admiring his international boss, a prominent local figure.
"Of course he is, even all around world football he's well known for what he's done. For him to pick me as a manager, he thinks I'm alright, that's just an honour for me.
"Me and James were just speaking about that, we used to go to the games and now he's picking me to play for his team. Everything has happened so quickly for me, it's still a blur for me really. Playing for Ireland, my country, there's no prouder feeling to be here."
Would he have liked to have seen Roy Keane get the Celtic job?
"For me, personally, I'd like to be with him here, he's good to me, he's a legend, he's got so much respect in football. For me to work with that calibre of man, it's such an honour."
As for his club fortunes, having spent a loan spell at Yeovil, he is hopeful of making the final year of his contract at Everton count.
"It's been brilliant for me down there and it's got me where I am now, so it's credit to Yeovil for bringing me down there and giving me a chance to be in the senior squad.
"I'm just focusing purely on Ireland, take my holidays, I'm going back to Everton for pre-season and the manager is going to see if I'm up to the standard. If I am, I'll stay and try to get into the team and, if not, I'll have to try and move on somewhere else.
"There are not many clubs better to be at than Everton and when you're there you've got to try to stay there. Hopefully with a bit of luck I can impress in pre-season and try to get into the team."
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