Damien Duff and Alan Reynolds clash raises temperature ahead of Shels trip to Bohs

DUFF LOVE: Damien Duff during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shelbourne at Oriel Park. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Friday’s meeting of Shelbourne and Bohemians is shaping into a demolition derby after confirmation of an altercation between managers Damien Duff and Alan Reynolds.

The incident occurred last Friday week when an angry Bohs manager Reynolds barged into Duff’s office prior to the teams’ meeting at Tolka Park.

While the source of Reynolds’s ire is speculative, his angst triggered a shouting match, audible to staff downstairs in the tunnel area.

It’s understood the exchange between the pair, with no witnesses, became extremely heated.

There was no post-match handshake following the 1-1 draw and it was noticeable how Duff credited Stephen O’Donnell – Reynolds’ assistant – in his words of praise for Bohemians afterwards.

Shels can take a further leap towards a first Premier title since 2006 if they win their game in hand at Dalymount Park to soar six points clear at the summit with just seven matches remaining for both themselves and challengers Derry City.

When asked about any needle between the managers ahead of the clash, owing to cross words between the pair, Duff concentrated on the emergence of the story rather than its fractious nature.

“That’s the League of Ireland for you,” he said. “What really upsets me about the LOI is that there are so many loose lips, so many people that you can’t trust.

“That’s why this is a special group of individuals, players and staff at Shelbourne FC.

“Outside of that, I don’t care about anybody. I will fall out with absolutely anybody to bring this club back to where it belongs. The fact that I’m getting asked this speaks volumes about people and the league.”

Reynolds, who played for Shels and worked as assistant manager during the 2021 season before Duff stepped up from the U17 team to senior boss, tried to downplay the row.

“Damien Duff and I had a conversation about something and that happens in football,” he said following Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers.

“It’s over. I’m after being in enough scrapes in my time to know. Look, we had words over something. If it’s a big deal to him, so be it. It’s not for me. I’m moving on.

“He’s done a great job at Shelbourne which is great for the league, top class. We had a disagreement about something and we spoke about it. Look, I’m surprised it got out as there was nothing to it really.”

Reynolds has given his undivided attention to Bohs, after discounting his dual role as sidekick to Ireland U21 boss Jim Crawford.

He cited the clash as redolent of an era when friction was commonplace in the LOI.

“Managers clashed years ago when I played and I want to see that back in the league,” noted for former Waterford, Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers midfielder.

“Everyone’s false that I can see. We want to win. We’re all winners on the sideline.

“There was nothing major. It happens all the time. It used to happen anyway.”