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"He would've died" - How Shane Duffy's life was saved

Tonight on the Football Show, Ireland team doctor Alan Byrne joined Kevin Kilbane and Nathan Murp...



Videos

"He would've died" - How Shane Duffy's life was saved

Tonight on the Football Show, Ireland team doctor Alan Byrne joined Kevin Kilbane and Nathan Murphy. 

He spoke about some of his experiences in the role including some of the more worrying ones.

One example was the freak injury Shane Duffy suffered in 2011. The current Ireland and Brighton centre-back suffered damage to his liver after a collision with a goalkeeper, while playing in an international training match. The former Everton defender still bears the scar on his abdomen.

"It was a free-kick and the keeper came out with both legs out as his is style," he said of the lead-up to the collision.

"Shane nearly died"

Within seconds Dr Byrne was being motioned on. He immediately knew emergency treatment was needed, even though it hadn't become clear to everyone what danger Duffy was in.

"I can't tell you why I knew," he said.

Shane Duffy, Republic of Ireland Press Conference, FAI National Training Centre, Dublin 6/6/2017
Shane Duffy
©INPHO/Bryan Keane

"Shane nearly died and without John O'Bryne's decision-making in the ambulance and without the Mater and Gerry McEntee who did the surgery, he would have died. He bled three and a half litres into his abdomen."

Dr Byrne also discussed the aftermath as well as the other cases he's been involved in with Ireland.

He also touched on the issue of mental health among footballers.

You can watch that part of the interview above on our YouTube video and also on our podcast section. Below you can watch the whole interview back and the rest of the Football Show:

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Alan Byrne Doctor Football Injury Ireland Liver Off The Ball Shane Duffy Team Doctor