Dylan Duffy

You joined Rovers in Damien Duff’s first year in charge of the Under 15s and won the Galway Cup then with that team. Does that seem a long time ago to you?

It does feel like it was a long time ago because I’ve been through so much since then but that was an incredible year with a great team and great coaches.

You lost an entire year in 2018 through injury; how much did you manage last year to make up for lost time?

Coming back from 15 months out is going to be hard for anyone. The first 2/3 months after the injury were hard because I was trying to move fast but the lads on the team and the coaches all helped me to get back to my best.

Before the season was put on hold you played in each of the First Division games that were played; how was that experience?

The First Division was a great experience and it was a good challenge for me and the whole team. Hopefully, when the season comes back we can push on and start to get the results we know we can achieve.

You will also be with the Under 19s this year but having played Under 17s last year how much of a jump have you found it playing at First Division level?

It was a big jump physically; the First Division is a lot more physical than the Under 17 league. I don’t think it was anything I wasn’t ready for and I think when the league is back I can push on and have a great season.

Getting back on the pitch last year was a great achievement for you but how much did you enjoy the season under the new management team?

Last season was one of the most enjoyable seasons I have ever had and that was down to the team and coaches. Tony (Cousins) didn’t put any pressure on me when I was coming back from injury and that really helped me to get my confidence back. I think we were unlucky not to get more out of the league last year but it was still a really enjoyable season for me.

How are you managing to maintain your fitness during the current national crisis?

I think when the season is back we will all be fitter than we were when we finished because Pat Deans has all the teams doing a programme and I personally feel a lot fitter already from it. I think this lockdown in a way is good for footballers to work on individual stuff that they didn’t have the time to do when they were training.

Do you feel frustrated at not being able to train and play?

It’s really tough not being able to train and play every week. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with myself when there is no training.

With no football and no school how are you coping with the boredom?

I haven’t been that bored since the lockdown because I’ve been training every day and I still have school work to do. We have been doing Google classrooms to keep on top of school work. I’m not complaining when I can play football all day out in my garden.

Are you confident that when the season resumes you can pick up where you left off?

I’m confident when the season comes back I’ll pick up where I left off in the First Division and keep improving every week in training and games.

You are related to former Rovers’ played Jamie Duffy (2006 & 2007). In what way are you related?

Jamie is my first cousin. He taught me a lot when I was younger.

Do you have a role model and if so, who is it?

A big role model for me is my dad. He’s a hard worker and I try to be like him with my work rate on and off the pitch.