Shane Duffy reveals he got a 'slap across the head' from Martin O'Neill for Moldova blooper
James McCarthy, left, Glenn Whelan and Shane Duffy of Republic of Ireland look on after Igor Bugaev of Moldova scored his side's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Group D Qualifier match between Moldova and Republic of Ireland at Stadionul Zimbru in Chisinau, Moldova. Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile
SHANE Duffy admits that he got a “slap across the head” from Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill after his defensive lapse gifted Moldova their goal in Chisinau last night.
But the Brighton defender maintains that Ireland’s World Cup bid remains on course as the Republic head into next month’s qualifier away to Austria as joint leaders of the group with Serbia on seven points.
“I have just looked back at the goal, the manager gave me a slap across the head.
“I just have to get those mistakes out of my game,” Duffy told The Herald.
“There were a few words at half time last night but we got there in the end.
“For their goal, there was just a mix-up, I tried to read the guy (Igor Bugaev), he has taken it down and put it through.
“I thought he was going to head it inside but both of us got mixed up.
“I should have just stayed and seen it out but we got there.
“It was a good week for us. The main objective was six points but then the other results went our way.
“I know it’s early but every point matters and hopefully we can take the positives away from the two games and move on to Austria.”
Ireland have made an encouraging start to their qualification bid by taking their Group D points tally to seven from a possible nine with a 3-1 victory in Moldova, hours after rivals Wales could only draw at home to Georgia.
