Former Drogheda United striker Lee Duffy warns peers 'not to take this lightly' after being hospitalised with Covid-19

Former Drogheda United and Longford Town striker Lee Duffy has warned people not to take Covid-19 ‘lightly’ after he was hospitalised with the virus earlier this month.

28-year-old Duffy spent eight days in hospital with the aid of a ventilator after suffering serious effects from the disease.

The Dubliner doesn’t fit the profile of those most vulnerable to the disease – a young, healthy athlete with no underlying conditions – but nonetheless required acute care in hospital.

Duffy, who has most recently been playing in Northern Ireland with Warrenpoint Town and Newry City, warned his peers to ‘not take this lightly, it is very serious’ following his ordeal.

“As some of you may or may not know, I tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago,” Duffy tweeted on Saturday night.

“I spent eight days in hospital hooked up to oxygen as I could no longer breathe on my own, scared not knowing what was going to happen.

“Luckily I got through it and I’m starting to feel a lot better now. My advice to everybody is to not take this lightly, it is very serious.”

Duffy began his League of Ireland career with Shelbourne in 2014 following spells in the amateur leagues with Navan Cosmos and Ballymun United.

He spent time with Longford and Wexford in between two spells at Drogheda United before moving to County Down outfit Warrenpoint last January.