Duff gets first international start

Last updated : 08 October 2005 By Tony Scholes

Manager Lawrie Sanchez was forced to make changes at the back with Chris Baird out suspended and Aaron Hughes missing through injury and it was Duff who got the call up at right back for a match that certainly proved to be the most entertaining on television today.

Wales led 2-0 at half time with both goals having been created down his side of the pitch where he found himself up against the best player on view in Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs but he was very much part of the revival that saw the Irish draw level in the first four minutes of the second half, it was from his long throw that they scored their equaliser.

Wales went back in front and he was replaced by Crewe’s Steve Jones for he last eleven minutes as Sanchez tried to get back into the game but the Irish, after beating England in their last game, couldn’t find an equaliser despite late pressure and Wales won the game 3-2.

The visitors had Paul Jones in goal, replacing the injured Danny Coyne, and but for Danny’s injury there would have been Burnley players facing each other at full international level.

The last time that happened was at the same venue and in a game between the same two teams back in May 1983 with Billy Hamilton in the Northern Ireland side and Brian Flynn playing for Wales. That was in the Home Internationals and the Welsh, like today, won that one, on that occasion 1-0.

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