Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton young gun Shane Duffy in shock Irish international switch
Shane Duffy[LNB]PROMISING Everton defender Shane Duffy has rocked Northern Ireland by deciding to change his allegiance.[LNB]The 18-year-old Londonderry-born player has informed manager Nigel Worthington he wants to play for the Republic of Ireland instead.[LNB]Duffy has withdrawn from the squad to face Albania in a friendly in Tirana next week after being named in the party yesterday.[LNB]He looked set to win his first cap in the absence of captain Aaron Hughes and his defensive team-mate Chris Baird.[LNB]However, Duffy, who has made two appearances for Everton in the Europa League this season, sees his future with the Republic like Manchester United's Darron Gibson.[LNB]Worthington is believed to be disappointed at Duffy's change of heart.[LNB]He has come through the system with the province and was captain of the Under-19s before graduating to the Under-21s.[LNB]Duffy qualifies for the Republic through his Donegal-born father, and believed he had reached agreement with Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington to no longer be selected even before yesterday's squad selection.[LNB]A promising centre-back, Duffy made his Everton debut as substitute in the crucial Europa League victory in Athens when he came on as a 17th minute replacement for Sylvain Distin and helped the Blues to a clean sheet.
