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Shane Duffy has revealed Ireland used Denmark\u2019s criticism as added motivation to secure a priceless Euro 2020 qualifying point in Copenhagen.<\/p>\nShane Duffy has revealed Ireland used Denmark\u2019s criticism as added motivation to secure a priceless Euro 2020 qualifying point in Copenhagen.<\/p>\n
Duffy\u2019s 85th-minute header snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat at the Telia Parken Stadium on Friday evening to leave Mick McCarthy\u2019s men still top of Group D and unbeaten after three games.<\/p>\n
Much of the talk in the run-up to the clash between increasingly-familiar foes centered around the Danes\u2019 frustration with Ireland\u2019s tactics under previous manager Martin O\u2019Neill with Thomas Delaney having described their football as \u201cprimitive\u201d and Christian Eriksen accusing them of being scared to attack.<\/p>\n
Asked about those barbs, Duffy replied: \u201cEveryone has got their opinions on it, I don\u2019t really look into it. Words get said before games and sometimes we say some words which might upset.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut when we cross that line, everyone has got respect for each other. We know it\u2019s a tough job out there.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe that was their tactic to try to get at us, but we used it as motivation out there. We tried to prove a point.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think someone said, \u2018You can change the manager, but you can\u2019t change the team\u2019. I think it was a different team out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Denmark\u2019s exasperation with the Republic heading into the game was perhaps understandable \u2013 three of the previous four games between the sides had ended goalless \u2013 but they had only themselves to blame for their latest failure to secure victory.<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper Darren Randolph made important saves from Eriksen and Yussuf Poulsen either side of half-time, but Age Hareide\u2019s men failed to make the most of the opportunities they created before substitute Pierre Emile Hojbjerg headed them in front with 14 minutes remaining.<\/p>\n
However, the lead lasted just nine minutes as Duffy, who had earlier forced a save from Kasper Schmeichel after latching on to a Conor Hourihane cross, repeated the dose from substitute Alan Judge\u2019s inch-perfect free-kick to power home an equalizer.<\/p>\n
James McClean might have snatched victory at the death, but the visitors were happy enough with their point, although their delight was tempered by the news that Judge broke his wrist in a late challenge.<\/p>\n
Duffy said: \u201cThey\u2019re a very good team \u2013 honestly, they are. It was a difficult night, actually. They had a lot of number 10s floating everywhere and Eriksen was getting it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we did enough to keep ourselves in it and it feels like a good point now, actually. It feels like a different point because we actually went for it a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duffy and his team-mates quickly turned their attention to Monday night\u2019s home clash with Gibraltar with the defender warning they must maintain their standards.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI know Monday could be a little banana skin, so we have just got to have the same mentality going into it, get a good start and hopefully that will be 10 points on the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would be a good start. It\u2019s a good start in a tough group between quite level teams. Seven points on the board \u2013 you always want nine, but you can\u2019t be too greedy.\u201d<\/p>\n