Damien Duff confident of squad depth for title run-in

The Reds stretched their lead on Thursday night despite being held at Drogheda. 

FOCUS: Shelbourne head coach Damien Duff after the draw on Thursday night. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Damien Duff reckons any of his players would be “mad” to leave Shelbourne in this window as they close in on a first Premier title since 2006.

Despite being held to a draw at basement side Drogheda United on Thursday, defeat for second-placed Derry City at Sligo Rovers meant the Reds stretched their lead at the summit to three points with a game in hand.

Shels now break from league action to begin their campaigns in Europe – hosting Gibraltarians St Joseph’s in the Conference League next Thursday – and FAI Cup away to his local club Bray Wanderers.

When they resume their title tilt on the August weekend, ironically against Derry, Duff expects to have his full complement of players intact, replete with reinforcements.

A release clause of €75,000 prevented him standing in the way of Gavin Molloy’s move to Scotland when Aberdeen came calling last week but he insists that should be the sum of their outgoings.

“We’ve got 12 league games left and there’s no time to feel nervous,” he noted about the mindset within his unit in pole position to smash the stranglehold of five-in-row chasing Shamrock Rovers.

“The fans have sung from day one that Lily Allen song about enjoying themselves. The players are having the time of their lives, the staff are having a ball so the fans should enjoy it too.

“Don’t be nervous nor edgy. It’s a brilliant time for the club and long may it continue.

“Call me biased but I think you’d be absolutely mad to leave Shelbourne FC. We’ve not many whose contracts are up at the end of the season so I’ve absolutely no fear.

“Gavin was brilliant for us but wasn’t on a long-term deal. That’s never ideal and we’re addressing that with the other players.

“But it’s important too for people to know that Gavin wanted to go. He didn’t want to hang around for our European campaign.

“As much as I was slightly disappointed, I do admire that scorpion within him that said: ‘No, I’m going to play for Aberdeen and want to be there for the first day of pre-season.’ 

“I do also respect that but we haven’t actually mentioned his name since he left. Football clubs - and Shelbourne is a big football club - move on very quickly.” 

They’ve done so by capturing Sam Bone, Ali Coote and Harry Wood, all of whom were lured by Duff to the league having drifted abroad.

The trio were handed their bows off the bench in Co Louth and are sure to have major roles as the finishing line of the season looms into view.

Duff’s crew have led from soon after the outset, retaining supremacy with one third of the campaign fixtures remaining.

Recent investment from the Doyle brothers swelled the coffers available to deepen the squad. An in-house game on Friday will feature a sprinkling of trialists.

The arrival of the latest backers also coincided with the announcement of a contract extension for their high-profile manager, wedding the Ireland centurion to Tolka Park until the end of 2026.

“You can overthink things but the club asked me to stay and we’re all rowing in the same direction,” he explained about the deal.

“I’ve signed three contracts now. I was very nervous for the first in 2021, drunk for the second and I was probably drunk again for the third. I was in the south of France because it got announced when I was over there. I didn’t read it so I trust Luke (Byrne – Director of Football) hasn’t hung me out to dry.

“I wasn’t too keen on announcements. I was just working hard and the club approached me asking to prolong my contract. I actually don’t really know what I signed. I signed the bottom bit and didn’t read it.

“I guess they’re happy with the job myself and the staff are doing. Why did I sign it? Just because I’m happy.

“I’ve no plans to leave Ireland anytime soon. Shelbourne has been a massive part of my life, as has my assistant Joey O’Brien and the players, so why leave somewhere that you love?

“I love going to work every day, I bounce out of bed and it means the world to me. That’s very simple.”