Graham Cummins: Shels players have two months to show Duff they belong

The Damien Duff revolution hasn't lived up to expectations.

18 April 2022; Shelbourne manager Damien Duff and assistant manager Joey O'Brien, left, during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match between Shelbourne and Bohemians at Tolka Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

There was so much expectation at the beginning of the season that Shelbourne could make a big impact in the league. Despite having only gained promotion to the Premier Division, the announcement of Damien Duff as manager raised expectancy of the club. Many, including myself, believed Shels would be situated at the right end of the table rather than struggling at the bottom - a position they find themselves in now.

Duff is probably the biggest appointment ever in the league in terms of reputation and what he has achieved throughout his playing career, as well as his coaching career at Celtic. It was a real coup for Shels to convince a player once considered one of the best wingers in the world during the peak of his playing career to take over the first team.