Albion defender Shane Duffy helped the Republic of Ireland to a clean sheet and winning start to Mick McCarthy's second spell in charge in Gibraltar tonight.

Jeff Hendrick's 49th minute goal was enough for a hard-earned 1-0 win in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier.

The Seagulls will be relieved, with their busy scheduled ahead, that Duffy played the whole game after ankle treatment early in the second half.

He is likely to be back in action against Georgia in Dublin on Tuesday evening ahead of Southampton's visit to the Amex next Saturday.

Duffy's Albion team-mate Gaetan Bong was an unused sub in 3-0 win against Comoros in Yaounde this afternoon which secures a place for holders Cameroon in the finals of the African Cup of Nations in Egypt in June and July.

Montpellier's Oyongo Bitolo was preferred by coach Clarence Seedorf at left-back to Bong, who recently lost his Albion spot to Bernardo.

Cameroon were due to stage the finals until organisers switched the venue because of organisation issues.