Damien Duff: 'The leading light of Irish football is not the national team but the league itself'

Duff won 100 caps, playing at the World Cup and Euros, but from his current perspective as Shelbourne manager, domestic bliss is where it’s at.

LEAGUE FOCUS: Shelbourne manager Damien Duff. Pic: Seb Daly, Sportsfile

If Damien Duff is to be believed, the League of Ireland is the only show in town.

The wing-wizard won 100 caps, playing at the World Cup and Euros, but from his current perspective as Shelbourne manager, domestic bliss is where it’s at.

International friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland generated crowds of over 30,000 apiece at Lansdowne Road, according to FAI figures anyway, but a turnout approaching 10,000 is expected at Tallaght on Friday night.

The completion of four stands at the venue facilitates that capacity, ensuring the meeting of Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians attracts the biggest attendance for a league fixture since the heady days of the early 1990s at the RDS and Turner’s Cross.

“It is brilliant to be back in action this weekend,” said Duff after the international break.

“The last two weeks has highlighted that the leading light of Irish football is not the national team but the league itself. It is bigger, better, more exciting and more important. Every true Irish football fan has been waiting for this Friday - nothing else.” 

Tolka Park will also be packed. Duff’s Shelbourne team sit pretty at the summit, five points clear of Derry City, whom they welcome on Easter Monday. The first part of the home double-header is hosting a Dundalk team rooted to the bottom of the table.

Stephen O’Donnell is under pressure after a five-game winless start to the season but the challenges run deeper than on the pitch as the club transition following the preseason takeover by Brian Ainscough.

“Stevie will be disappointed but Dundalk have quality everywhere, massive players in their team, a brilliant manager and staff who’ve won more in the league than I have,” added Duff.

“Results can be a bit misleading – Dundalk have come out on the wrong side of tight games.” 

The Alan Reynolds era at Bohemians kicks off with the toughest of tests away to their Dublin rivals. Traditionally slow starters Rovers got their first win at the fifth attempt on the Friday before the break by claiming a late win at Galway United.

It was the type of performance and result that typifies their resilience in their current request to tag on a record fifth successive title.

“Dublin derbies are tough games – we’ll respect what Bohs bring and ensure we impose ourselves on the game as soon as possible,” said Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, who is without injured quartet Sean Kavanagh, Aaron McEneff, Neil Farrugia and Jack Byrne.

“Alan (Reynolds) has come in late so I’m not sure how much time he’s had to get his ideas across to the players.” 

Reynolds left the assistant role at his native Waterford to fill the managerial vacancy at Dalymount. It could have been an easier introduction – Bohs haven’t won at Tallaght since 2019 – but he’s up for the task.

“Maybe I would have been wiser to wait!,” joked Rennie, who could call upon goalkeeper James Talbot for the first time this season.

“It's an exciting one and the players are itching for it. I just think it's a great night for Irish football – a massive game in this country and the place will be full.” 

Derry and Galway clash in the north-west, both teams recovering from defeats in their last games, while Waterford and Sligo Rovers square up at the RSC.

Blues boss Keith Long, who gave Reynolds his blessing to accept the Bohs job he filled for almost nine years, has Darragh Leahy returning from suspension. 

Harvey Macadam and Barry Baggley, both on loan from sister club Fleetwood Town, are both injury doubts and may be held back until Monday’s visit of the other Rovers on Monday.