Rovers have parted company with Fenlon after less than two years in the job.

Short of Paul McGrath doing a Bejamin Button and reconstituting himself as the fabled ‘Black Pearl of Inchichore’, it’s hard to think of an Irish footballer whose appearance in the League of Ireland will generate more genuine delight than that of Damien Duff.

Damien Duff might be an Irish football legend but Shamrock Rovers boss Pat Fenlon has made it clear that the club’s new star signing is not automatically guaranteed a place in his team.

Shamrock Rovers manager Pat Fenlon refused to be drawn on the potential signing of 100-times capped Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff as he stressed the importance of keeping the focus on what is Rovers’ biggest match in three years.

Already missing the injured Keith Fahey, Shamrock Rovers begin their Europa League campaign in Luxembourg tonight (Stade Municipal Differdange, 6pm Irish time) without another experienced ex-international, Stephen McPhail.