A self-confessed former ‘football snob’, ex-Premier League winger Damien Duff has gone back to his roots and pulled up trees, leading Shelbourne to their first League of Ireland title in 18 years.
By Alex Roberts
All the way back in 2006, the last time Shelbourne won the league title, the club’s dire financial situation saw them sensationally relegated to Ireland’s second tier for just the second time in their history.
A lot has happened since then. Duff called time on his illustrious career with two Premier League titles to his name, Shelbourne suffered a couple more relegations, and Donald Trump has been elected to the most powerful seat in the world… twice.
Ever since he took over at Tolka Park, Duff has been an advocate for the quality of the League of Ireland, criticising English clubs for undervaluing the league and promoting it whenever he had the opportunity.
Duff had two jobs back in 2020, he was part of Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland set-up and Shelbourne’s Under-17s manager. Within 12-months he quit his international job after a friendly loss to England with Kenny’s time in charge shattered.
And so began Shelbourne’s charm offensive, led by former chairman Andrew Doyle, to convince the man with 100 international caps to become the manager of their North Dublin club.
His first game in charge couldn’t have gone any worse. A heavy 3-0 defeat to rivals St Patrick’s Athletic must have left him scratching his head, wondering what exactly he had signed up for.
But the season went on and Shelbourne met their target of avoiding relegation. The season after that they went one better, qualifying for continental football for the first time under Duff’s guidance. But it wasn’t all rosy at the club.
At the time, Shelbourne were owned by a consortium led by Hull City chief and Turkish media magnate Acun Ilıcalı. Despite his recent achievement, talks over a new contract for Duff had stalled, and he was in danger of losing his job.
Up stepped Mickey O’Rourke, founder of Irish TV channel Premier Sports, who bought Ilcali’s shares and effectively chose Duff over investment from the Turkish billionaire. And so began a new era at the club.
Duff and Shelbourne started the 2024 season like a house on fire, amassing 21 points from a possible 27 and going ten games unbeaten, with local rivals Bohemians the club to break the streak.
After that, things started to look a little dicey. Shelbourne dropped points in six of their next ten games, drawing four and losing two as rivals started to gain and their grip on top-spot started to loosen.
Thankfully poor early season form from then four-time defending champions Shamrock Rovers, who went winless in their first five games of the season, gave Duff and his boys some breathing room.
The fellow Dublin side had dominated over the past three seasons, winning it with 72, 79, and 78 points, respectively. This season was a lot closer; it went down to the wire and both teams could have lifted the trophy.
Shelbourne faced Derry City at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium and Shamrock Rovers prepared for a visit from Waterford FC.
First blood went to Shamrock Rovers. Young winger Johnny Kenny scored with a lovely chip over Sam Sargeant in the Waterford goal to put his side 1-0 up and send the home fans into hysterics.
Things in Derry weren’t going quite so well. Half-time came and went for Duff’s lads but they were unable to break down their opposition’s stubborn defence, despite creating numerous good chances.
Then, not long after the break Shamrock Rovers doubled their lead. It was already tense, but the goal from striker Dylan Watts made it positively twitchy. It was starting to look like all was lost, Shamrock Rovers would be champions again and it would all end in tears for Duff and his lads.
Shelbourne needed a hero, so up stepped 22-year-old Harry Wood. Sean Boyd’s freekick deflected off the wall, and after some pin-balling in the box, it fell to Wood, who slotted home.
He took off his shirt, mullet blowing in the wind as he ran towards the fans to celebrate. Shelbourne were champions.
The celebrations were nuts, Duff was drenched in champagne and various other types of booze, acting like he had never won a trophy before in his life, which, of course, wasn’t true.
Duff was a vital part of the great Chelsea side that won two Premier League titles, then went on to be the main man at both Fulham and Newcastle before calling it quits. It would have been very easy for him to pick up his medal and throw it on the pile with all the others.
For those who don’t know any better, a League of Ireland title may not seem so impressive. But that dismisses the hard work, long nights, and missed family occasions that each of the players and staff had to endure.
He may not have been able to get former manager José Mourinho’s attention, the legendary Portuguese boss failing to answer Duff’s call after the game but lifting the title with Shelbourne is a pretty big deal.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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