Surviving contracting Covid-19 will be the biggest battle Lee Duffy will have won this year.
Fully recovered, the striker now wants to channel his revitalised energy into reviving Athlone Town’s fortunes, having signed for the club before the restart.
Back in March, Duffy tweeted about how he couldn’t breathe on his own and had to spend eight days in hospital on oxygen as he struggled to combat the deadly virus.
The 28-year-old returned to action a fortnight ago and hit the ground running, scoring in both of his last two games.
The first came in a rollercoaster 3-3 draw with title-fancied Drogheda United last Friday. Then on Monday, Duffy ran the line superbly at the UCD Bowl, putting Town in front before it all went pear-shaped as they eventually lost 2-1 to the Students.
Adrian Carberry’s midlanders thus remain rooted to the foot of the First Division table after seven games.
“It’s good to be back,” said ex-Drogheda United and Shelbourne attacker Duffy. “It feels good to be fit and doing well which is the main thing.”
Improving Town continue their search for a first win of the campaign against Shamrock Rovers II tonight.
“It’s a relatively new team that the manager is putting together,” added Duffy. “He got me in and a couple of other lads and is trying to build.
“We just have to start winning games. Because when you are not winning you’re not happy.”
Reluctant to speak about his experience of Covid-19 in any detail, Duffy simply reiterated what he tweeted back in March as virus cases continue their worrying trend upwards.
“That happened and I’m trying to just forget about it and get over it,” said Duffy of his big scare. “I’m getting there fitness-wise now.
“Everyone just has to be more responsible and take care and do everything that we can to stop it.”
