Daniel McDonnell: Shane Duffy difficulty highlights how blemish-free Séamus Coleman has lasted course

Séamus Coleman’s first victory in Everton colours was achieved alongside another young Irishman with dreams of going far in the game.

In the autumn of 2009, a Europa League campaign was used to give Coleman and Shane Duffy minutes to further their education. A memorable win away to AEK Athens set the duo on the way towards their aim of establishing themselves at their first stop in England.

It’s a credit to their longevity that they remain in football’s news cycle 15 years later, given the ridiculously high dropout rate in their ruthless profession. By any measure, Coleman and Duffy are success stories; they have beaten all the percentages to play at the highest level of the game and represent their country in a major tournament.

But the respective headlines they generated yesterday perhaps illustrate why one of them has lasted the course at Everton and the other has embarked on a career packed with twists and turns, if you can forgive the unfortunate phrasing.

There is only so much that can be said about Duffy’s arrest for drink-driving at this juncture. In some respects, the basic outline of the tale speaks for itself. But for it to happen in the week of Norwich’s Championship play-off with Leeds United is surprising.

You never know what’s going on in somebody’s life so there’s a reluctance to instigate a pile-on, but it’s an embarrassing story for the 32-year-old and it’s not the first time that off-the-field matters have spilled into the public domain.

Previously, it has been relatively trivial stuff that could be filed under the heading of being none of our business; high jinks on a night out and the pitfalls that come with being a recognisable young man making mistakes. Let he is who is without sin cast the first stone and all of that.

But this is obviously on another level completely and a court appearance scheduled for July means that it will hang over him.

Coming off the back of a year where he has dropped down to Championship level and drifted down the Irish pecking order, it’s the type of story that players need to avoid when they reach the point of their career where questions naturally arise about their plans for the future.

It can be a challenge when the music stops, even for the most dedicated pro, and while Duffy has bounced back from low points in his career to operate at a high level, he has now put himself in a place where assumptions will be drawn – regardless of whether they are fair or not.

While news of Duffy’s indiscretion was breaking, Everton boss Sean Dyche was speaking about Coleman – an individual who has never once attracted attention for matters away from football.

He turns 36 later this year and has recovered from two long-term injuries that might have derailed individuals with inferior discipline.

Even if those setbacks had never occurred, the constant turbulence at Everton would have challenged the temperament of the most patient souls.

But Dyche confirmed that Coleman has expressed a desire to play on for another season, with his thirst for the game remaining even though he is no longer a first-choice option.

“He’s made it clear at this stage that his mindset is to keep playing,” said Dyche who appeared to be pouring cold water on the idea that Everton’s Premier League encounter with Sheffield United on Sunday might represent a Goodison Park farewell for the club captain.

Beyond that, though, Dyche was asked if Coleman might graduate to become a coach with the Toffees.

In the past, he expressed a desire to going down that route.

Diplomatically the Everton boss hinted that the ex-Sligo Rovers player has the money in the bank to decide if he needs the hassle.

“These players are different now. Players at this level,” said Dyche, who spent most of his playing days in the lower leagues.

“You’ve had 14 years at a club like this, maybe 15, they (players) have choices now. When I was finishing, you didn’t have a choice, you had to do something.”

The ability to go out on his own terms will be Coleman’s reward for a blemish-free record.

He has made his own luck.

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