Shane Duffy

[Montse]

Teenage Everton prospect Shane Duffy was two minutes away from losing his life after suffering a horrific injury to his liver on international duty.

Manager David Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright were both warned Duffy might not pull through, as surgeons battled to save him from the effects of massive internal bleeding.

The 18-year old centre-back lost four pints of blood, after a freak collision with goalkeeper Adrian Walsh, a member of the Irish Amateur side, and one of the surgeons later confirmed he would have died had they taken ‘another two to three minutes’ to locate and treat the source of the bleeding.

Duffy was playing in a practice match for the Republic of Ireland on Friday night when Walsh’s knee thudded into him and left him needing lengthy treatment.

It was only after being helped off and examined by team doctor Alan Byrne and consultant John O’Byrne that the seriousness of his condition became apparent. An ambulance rushed him to the Mater Hospital in Dublin, and staff there were told to prepare for emergency life-saving surgery on a damaged artery.

As Duffy was wheeled into the operating theatre, with his life hanging in the balance, Moyes and Kenwright were contacted and warned to expect the worst. Both were said to be distraught as they telephoned the hospital for any news.

 

Such were the concerns for Duffy’s survival chances that, after finally bringing him back from the brink, the operating team embraced each other and exchanged handshakes.

After hearing last night the hospital staff had moved him out of intensive care, and that he was able to sit up and sip water, a relieved Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said: ‘I would like to thank our team doctor and consultant for their quick reaction to Shane’s serious injury.

'As time was critical, had they not acted as they did, Shane’s life could have been in more danger than it already was.

‘On behalf of the FAI, I would also like to praise Professor Gerry McEntee for conducting the emergency operation and ensuring that Shane was given the best possible attention.

‘Shane is very lucky, and we wish him a speedy recovery.’

FAI team surgeon, professor John O’Bryne added: ‘Shane collided with a player in a way that you would see thousands of times in football matches. It was a freak injury that in another 100 years of medicine, we may never see again.’

Duffy, who made his full Everton debut against BATE Borisov in the Europa League in December and was last season’s Reserve player of the year, faces a lengthy rehabilitation but is expected to be able to resume his career without any ill-effects.

 

ere

 

Glad to hear the lad is making a good recovery - what a freak accident

[aka Dus]

Very lucky boy. He thought himself he was done for, amazing work by the FAI medical team and the team at the Mater.

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

thank God.

 

I couldn't have coped losing another one after Stephen Gately.

Edited May 24, 2010 by John

[Cam]

thank God.

 

I couldn't have coped losing another one after Stephen Gately.

you beat me to it!

[fyds]

Very lucky boy. He thought himself he was done for, amazing work by the FAI medical team and the team at the Mater.

I'm sure Roy Keane begs to differ - but then he would, wouldn't he?

 

Lucky lad Mr Duffy - as you say good work from the medics.

[Hightown Phil]

I'm sure Roy Keane begs to differ

 

Err, no actually, he doesn't.

[sean]

Err, no actually, he doesn't.

 

 

No, he just differs without the begging, the sap.

[aka Dus]

thank God.

 

I couldn't have coped losing another one after Stephen Gately.

 

Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy,

 

Know your Boyzone Sonny, etc etc