Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Friday 15°CSaturday 15°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Football

Arsenal fanatic Duffy is ‘gunning’ to face his heroes

written by Chris McNulty October 29, 2020
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

BOYHOOD Arsenal fan Michael Duffy admits that he’s pinching himself at the prospect of playing at the Emirates tonight.

Dundalk face Arsenal in the Europa League and Duffy can’t wait to come up against the team he cheers on every other time they play.

Such was Duffy’s devotion to the Gunners, he chose Thierry as his Confirmation name, after the legendary Arsenal attacker Thierry Henry.

“That’s how big an Arsenal fan I was,” Duffy said ahead of the big game.

“Thierry Henry was the man. He was my idol.

“For my Confirmation, I asked for Thierry.  The teacher said no at the start, but the teacher came back two weeks later and said that he was a Saint so I could have it!”

Duffy played much of his schoolboy football with Kildrum Tigers. His father Michael ‘Bamber’ Duffy is a native of St Johnston. Duffy is Derry born, but close family still reside in St Johnston.

He cut his teeth at Derry City and nabbed a dream move to Celtic before joining Dundalk in 2017.

The 26-year-old has played a starring role for the Lilywhites and has even been tipped for a Republic of Ireland call-up.

For now, Duffy will concentrate on Dundalk’s latest Europa League showdown at the Emirates.

He said: “It’s unbelievable. I haven’t been here to watch a match, now I’m training on it and going to play a match on it.

“It actually still doesn’t feel like we’re playing Arsenal. it’s mad. I’m just catching on that I’m playing Arsenal. It’s going to be class and I can’t wait.

“I watch them every week and now I’m here to play them. It still doesn’t feel like it’s happening. It’ll be a brilliant experience. This is unbelievable. The stadium is class and everyone is buzzing.”

Dundalk lost 2-1 to Molde in their opening Group B game and the League of Ireland side are rank underdogs against Premier League giants Arsenal.

Duffy said: “We can go out and enjoy the night. We’ll be trying to get something from it. We know how tough it’ll be, but we’re prepared well.”

Arsenal fanatic Duffy is ‘gunning’ to face his heroes was last modified: October 29th, 2020 by Chris McNulty
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Tags:
arsenalDundalkEmirates Stadiumeuropa leaguekildrum tigersMichael DuffySt Johnston
Chris McNulty

Author of 'Boxing In Donegal: A History (2021)' - the definitive history of the sport in County Donegal - and 'Relentless: A Race Through Time', the 2019 memoir of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. From St Johnston and now based in Letterkenny, Chris was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Harps look to score big with new...

11 hours ago

Benny is still ‘harping on’ as he...

12 hours ago

Letterkenny’s Oran Brogan signs for Finn Harps

19 hours ago

Finn Harps graduates Cunningham and McGranaghan sign...

3 days ago

Picture Special: Tiktokkers Tadhg and Derry Fleming...

4 days ago

Donegal Women’s League – this week’s match...

5 days ago

Harps’ Joel Thompson presented with Donegal jersey...

6 days ago

Lomboto goal works a ‘treat’ for Finn...

6 days ago

Seamus Coleman signs one year deal at...

6 days ago

Barrett and Toland star for Ireland but...

7 days ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy