Duffy expects a big response against Ukraine

Shane Duffy is confident the Republic of Ireland will bounce back from their disappointment in Armenia as they target Nations League victory over Ukraine.

Ireland were beaten 1-0 in Yerevan on Saturday, after putting in a performance which dwindled as the game wore on, and returned home to concerted criticism.

However, manager Steven Kenny is adamant his project remains on track despite the setback in eastern Europe, and ahead of Wednesday night's showdown with Ukraine at the Aviva Stadium, defender Duffy agrees.

Asked about team-mate Chiedozie Ogbene's assertion after the game at the Republican Stadium that Kenny's men needed to adopt a "win-at-all-costs" mentality, he said: "I think we always want to win at all costs.

"There are different opinions, but the feeling I have is that we went out there and everyone gave everything in the game. It wasn't for the lack of effort or trying.

"It was a night where we didn't get it right and we have to accept that. As the gaffer says, we reflected on it and we put it behind us. Now we move on to a big game on Wednesday.

"With this group we have got it is a really special group with players who can bounce back. We have really good characters in there, young and experienced, who come together really well and we talk and are really close. That's good when we have moments like we did on Saturday.

"It wasn't our night and we didn't get what we wanted. We'll bounce back."

Bouncing back is something Duffy himself is keen to do after a frustrating end to the season with club Brighton, having not played since March.

Ireland's three remaining Nations League fixtures in this window - Ukraine home and away either side of Scotland's visit to Dublin on Saturday - are his current focus, but he admits he