Albion rock Shane Duffy is relieved that St Patrick's Day turned into a triumph for him rather than rival Aiden O'Brien.

It looked bleak for the Irish central defender and his team-mates when O'Brien put Millwall 2-0 up in the FA Cup quarter-final at The Den.

Asked for his reaction to Albion's extraordinary triumph on penalties before heading off on international duty, Duffy admitted: "Relief. In the second half they battered us. We didn't turn up.

"We didn't play great, a few mistakes. They came on more and more, the crowd got going, but at 2-0 it shows the belief and character in this team.

"I kept saying to everyone if we get one we'll get another one.

"Me and Dunky were saying it. They would obviously sit back. Then we dominated extra-time and then penalties and Maty was the hero.

"It's a tough place to come and the conditions and the way they play. They make you make mistakes and it was different to what we are up against every week.

"It was a difficult afternoon personally and for the team, but we got the win and that is all that matters."

Duffy was last night named the Reoublic of Ireland's Senior International Player of the Year for the second year running.