COUGARS stalwart Gavin Duffy admits his hugely successful loan spell at Hunslet last season helped him rediscover his love for the game.

The long-serving winger is celebrating after recently being awarded a testimonial by the RFL following a decade of service to his hometown club.

Duffy has agreed a new deal with Cougars for next season after turning down offers from Hunslet, who he helped to promotion, and Batley.

He felt he could not bring himself to leave Cougar Park but admits being left out of Paul March's team last term forced him to consider his future.

Duffy said: "The wingers at Keighley were playing really well last season and I knocked on the door a few times to ask Marchy where I stood.

"I didn't really get a sniff, so I left it a few months, kept training and it got to the stage where I felt like packing it all in.

"I got really frustrated with myself at not playing and I started not turning up to training.

"It got to the stage where I needed to do something about it, so I asked to go out on loan.

"Spending eight weeks at Hunslet made me realise how much I enjoy my rugby so it was definitely the best thing I ever did.

"To get the odd shot at Keighley, not play well and be out of the team the week after was hard to take.

"It takes me two or three games to regain my confidence and start playing better.

"That's just the kind of player I am. Some players can come into a team and play really well straight off but that's not me unfortunately."

Duffy was outstanding for Barry Eaton's side, scoring a hatful of tries and earning praise for his defensive prowess too.

He was part of the team which beat Oldham in the Championship 1 Grand Final to win promotion at Headingley.

Duffy said: "Barry tried to sign me permanently for Hunslet and it was a better offer than Keighley ever made. But it was my testimonial year here and I spoke to Paul March about what's going to happen at the club this year.

"I had a chat with Batley as well as they were also keen to sign me.

"I spoke to Marchy in depth about it and he has given me squad number two, which is telling me I'm his first-choice winger.

"He has seen a bit of light in me and that has persuaded me to sign. I would miss all the boys there if I left because they're a good set of lads."

Duffy, who is a self-employed ground worker, has experienced plenty of highs and lows during his long association with Cougars.

He is delighted to be awarded a testimonial following on from club captain James Feather's testimonial last year.

Duffy said: "I signed for the club around the same time as Buster, so it was just a case of when I would get one rather than if.

"I came through the ranks at the Cougars Cubs and signed for the Under-18s academy before going into the Under-21s and then the first team.

"I made my first-team debut in 2005 and to be awarded the testimonial is a proud moment for me.

"The two main events that I'm definitely going to go ahead with are a golf day at Branshaw Golf Club and a boxing show at some point.

"I've not decided on the dates yet but it's probably going to be in February or March.

"I've had plenty of ups and downs during my ten years at the club. I've been relegated twice and won the Grand Final to be promoted twice.

"A lot of the lads here have won two Grand Finals and obviously I went to Hunslet at the back end of the year and helped them to promotion.

"So I've had three Grand Final wins already – I've played in three and won them all.

"To go back to Keighley and make another Grand Final next season and win it would be crazy – but that's my aim."