Source: Daily_Mail
Everton defender Shane Duffy 'recovering well' after life-saving surgery
Stable: Shane Duffy is in intensive care[LNB] Everton and Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy is lucky to be alive after undergoing a life-saving operation following a horrific injury suffered in a training match in Malahide on Friday evening.[LNB] The 18-year-old was making only his second appearance for a Republic of Ireland XI in a behind-closed-doors game against the Ireland Amateur team when he collided with goalkeeper Adrian Walsh.[LNB] While it appeared to be a nasty clash at the time, the severity of the injury was quickly realized by FAI surgeon Professor John O'Byrne and team doctor Alan Byrne who helped rush him to the Mater hospital.[LNB] The quick thinking and communication from the FAI medical staff to the response team at the Mater en route to the Dublin hospital ultimately helped to save the Everton player's life.[LNB] 'I would like to thank Dr Alan Byrne and Professor John O'Byrne for their quick reaction to Shane's injury,' said Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.[LNB] 'As time was critical, had they not acted as they did, Shane's life could have been in more danger than it already was.'[LNB] O'Byrne described it as a 'freak injury' as the centre-back jumped up for a challenge with the opposition keeper and Walsh's knee accidently smashed into his chest after just 35 minutes of the game.[LNB] 'Shane sustained a laceration to his liver and was rushed to the Mater hospital for emergency surgery,' said O'Byrne.[LNB] 'Gerry McEntee and the intensive care staff in the Mater must be credited for their expertise and fast response which in no uncertain terms saved Shane's life.[LNB] 'Shane was stabilized in intensive care after the surgery which stopped internal bleeding and is conscious and is in the care of the Mater's high dependency unit having improved overnight.'[LNB] Trapattoni was visibly emotional at a press conference on Saturday morning as he spoke about the incident and expressed his concern for Duffy after the operation which lasted for 45 minutes.[LNB] 'As a father and a grandfather I was worried, I thought about the family,' said the 71-year-old.[LNB] 'It was an accident. For me it is the first time I've seen this sort of injury. He was just unlucky [to be] in this situation. I went to see him in hospital and I was happy when the doctor said he was okay.'[LNB] In training: Republic of Ireland youngster Duffy (right)[LNB]After the training match on Friday, the Italian turned up at Richmond Park to watch some of the Airtricity League clash between St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians before leaving early to travel to the Mater in order to check on the player's condition.[LNB] Duffy is now recovering from the injury and is being monitored by staff at the Mater, but an FAI source stated that he was a 'very lucky lad' ashis blood pressure had dropped twice when the internal bleeding started.[LNB] Duffy's father, who was at the game in Gannon Park, was alongside the youngster in the ambulance and his mother then travelled down later thatevening from their family home in Derry.[LNB] Ireland Amateur manager Gerry Smith said that it was a 'one in a milliontype of challenge' and credited the FAI's medical team for their hasty response.[LNB] 'There was nothing malicious about the challenge at all. It was just an ordinary free-kick and Adrian [Walsh] clashed with Shane. You see those sort of things happen all of the time, but rarely ever does a player come out with such a bad injury,' said Smith.[LNB] 'Our thoughts are with Shane and his family. We wish him all of the bestin his recovery and Adrian was quick to express his concern once I toldhim about it as he travelled home to Waterford after the game and wasn't aware of it.'[LNB] The injury soured what had been a fantastic week for the former Foyle Harps schoolboy as he earned his first call-up to the Ireland senior team, made his bow in Tuesday's friendly against the Ireland Under 23s and was asked by Trapattoni to remain with the squad for this week's friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria.[LNB] Duffy wouldn't have been able to play in either of those games at the RDS due to his international clearance yet to be sent through by Fifa asthe Northern Ireland FA are still contesting his decision to switch allegiances to the Republic.[LNB] The reliable defender had represented Northern Ireland from U16 level all the way up to B international, but caused quite a stir when he decided that he wanted to play for the Republic at senior level. A row over his switch and possible compensation owed to the Northern Irish FA means the Court of Arbitration (CAS) will have to make a ruling on the case.[LNB] The CAS's verdict is expected on July 19, but he cannot play for Trapattoni's team until their findings have been revealed. Nevertheless,he is a player that the Irish boss is sticking by and had hoped to takea closer look at ahead of this year's Euro 2012 qualifiers.[LNB] Duffy's injury will undoubtedly rule him out for quite a while, but he is expected to make a full recovery. When he does get back to action he will be expected to pick up where he left off, which was on the verge ofa breakthrough for both club and country.[LNB] Everton boss David Moyes rates him very highly and previously stated that he has a bright future with the Premier League club. Having recently scooped the club's Reserve Player of the Year award all of the signs suggest that he will play a bigger role in the first-team next season.[LNB] [LNB]
