Michael Duffy delighted as FIFA finally clear his switch to Republic of Ireland

The Derry man began the process of switching his international allegiance back in August 2018 but the delay in his paperwork ultimately cost him a call-up to Stephen Kenny’s senior squad last November.

Now the transfer has been rubber stamped, the relieved Dundalk winger reckons he must produce his best form at club level to give himself a shot at being considered for Kenny’s next international squad.

The Ireland boss got in touch with the 26 year-old winger to inform him that his switch had been approved by the international football governing body over the weekend - news which was warmly welcomed by Duffy.

“Stephen Kenny rang me and told me it was all through and cleared,” he revealed. “So it was obviously good to hear.”

And while Duffy admits he was frustrated the red tape issue prevented him from inclusion in the UEFA Nations League clash with Bulgaria last year, he refuses to dwell on the reasons for the delay and is concentrating on the start of the SSE Airtricity League next month.

“It was very frustrating that it’s all taken so long and I could’ve had my chance last year but that’s over and done with and at least it’s through now. It’s up to me now really. I know I need to work very hard if I want to get near the Ireland squad.

“Stephen has a lot of players to choose from in England and elsewhere so I need to be at my best if I want a call-up. It’s all on me now,” added Duffy who has won two League of Ireland Premier Division titles since his arrival in Dundalk in 2017.

The former Derry City winger, who signed a one year contract extension with Dundalk last month, insists representing Ireland remains one of his ‘main goals’.

And the Galliagh man is hoping he can impress Kenny when Dundalk get their season underway with the President’s Cup clash against Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium on March 12th - less than two weeks before Ireland’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Serbia.

“It’s one of my main goals and I’d love to play for Ireland but I know how hard it’s going to be. I just hope it happens some day for me.

“There’s going to be a lot of games coming up with qualifiers and friendlies so I just have to wait and see. I have to concentrate on my performances and if it happens, it happens. But I need to be playing at my best if I want a call-up.”

Duffy, who worked under Kenny at Dundalk, believes the Dubliner will continue to give League of Ireland players a chance in the international set-up if they’re considered good enough.

“Stephen knows the players from managing in the league and knows the level we’re playing at and that he can trust the players. He proved that when giving the boys (Aaron McEneff and Graham Burke) their chance the last time around, so hopefully that happens again.

“It’s good to hear from him that I was one of his options last year even though it was disappointing with the clearance. I still needed to take the positives that Stephen wanted me involved and that’s great to hear, that gives me confidence.

“Hopefully I can impress again and get my chance.”