Damien Duff: 'There’s a way to win with respect and class. I’m not sure Shamrock Rovers have done that'

"It’s not a disagreement, I’m absolutely right," added Duff, who had earlier exchanged words with Rovers boss Stephen Bradley.

DUFF LOVE: Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, right, and Shelbourne manager Damien Duff shake hands. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

Damien Duff and Stephen Bradley renewed rivalries on Friday night as the league leaders came out on top in a feisty 2-1 win at a sold out Tolka Park.

Dan Cleary had put the Hoops ahead before Josh Honohan put into the back of his own net with the game finely poised at the break.

But Honohan, who had been called up the Republic of Ireland senior men’s squad, struck a stunning goal to make amends for his earlier error and bag all three points for his side in the process to put a 12-point gap between themselves and the champions.

“Maybe they (Shamrock Rovers) played with a real personality and showed their quality and think we only did it in fits and bursts. I can't bring myself to complain about the result. I just can't. I can't say we were unlucky. I can't,” admitted Shels manager Damien Duff.

Eyes were also fixated on both benches throught the contest as former colleagues Duff and Bradley, who have been involved in verbal spats this season, came face-to-face for the first time since the fallout in Tallaght back in April when Duff was accused of a lack of respect for not shaking hands with the opposing bench after the 2-2 draw, opting instead to head straight down the tunnel.

Both parties did exchange handshakes pre and post-game on this occasion and it seemed as that particular issue had been put to bed.

But as both went about doing their post-game media duties on the pitch after the game, words were exchanged between the two.

Clearly something had irked the Irish centurion in the aftermath, although he was coy on the issue initially.

“I don’t need to speak about what’s gone on upstairs," insisted Duff.

"It’s not a disagreement, I’m absolutely right. I think there’s a way to win, with respect, a humility and class. I’ve done that since I was a boy and I’m not sure they’ve done that tonight, that’s all I’d say.”

It had been said that when the away team went to the upstairs changing room to celebrate their massive victory, the famous Mauro Picotto song “Kimodo”, synonymous with Shelbourne – so much so that it has led to the famous DJ playing a couple of sets at the famous old ground – was heard blasting from the away changing room, something that Duff clearly took umbrage with.

Shelbourne's head coach Damien Duff. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy.

When pressed on if this was the case, the 46-year-old added: “Amongst other things. But like I said I don’t need to get into it. A lack of respect has been pointed at me, it’s bizarre carry-on.

"I’ve played all around the world, coached in some amazing places and now manage in an amazing place and I’m built on hard work, a bit of quality - I’d like to think - but a real respect, humility and I’d like to think a touch of class.

"And that’s how you should win, and I don’t think they’ve done that tonight. And I don’t think they regularly do it either. But that’s not trying to cloud over headlines, we’ve lost a Dublin derby tonight, we’ve lost ground and I’m not looking at the carry-on upstairs, all I'm looking at is my team, my performances, my players.”

Duff’s opposing number, Stephen Bradley, was quick to pour cold water on the subject when asked what had happened and was keen to move on,  focusing on his side’s dominant performance at the home of the champions.

But Bradley did confirm the pair haven’t been on speaking terms since their last meeting.

“I’m not sure, he’s obviously frustrated, annoyed they’ve lost the game, I understand that. Yeah, that’s not for me to talk about. We’ve come here, we played well, we won the game, that was our aim.

“No, we haven’t spoken. Like I said, for me, it was about moving on, getting ready for this game, to come and win it. That was all our aim, all my thoughts.

"I think the players tonight were different class, they controlled the game from start to finish, Shels had little spells here or there, but for the majority we were excellent and won the game comfortably. “