'The Damien Duff era at Shelbourne FC has ended - today's a new chapter' Shels defiant despite bombshell

DUFF TIMES: Shelbourne insist there’s no hard feelings with Damien Duff over his shock exit and they will continue to thrive in his absence. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile.

Shelbourne insist there’s no hard feelings with Damien Duff over his shock exit and they will continue to thrive in his absence.

Irish football was rocked on Sunday when – as first revealed by the Irish Examiner – the Ireland legend informed his players at training of his intention to immediately quit.

A degree of tension had arisen following his cutting remarks about a lack of preparation and motivation in the aftermath of Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Derry City but not to the extent a parting was anticipated.

The champions might be 15 points off leaders Shamrock Rovers but are within touching distance of a top-four slot to guarantee a third year of European qualification.

Champions League football will be returning to Tolka Park for the first time in 18 years on Wednesday fortnight when Island rivals Linfield visit, but Duff wasn’t waiting around.

His three-and-a-half year spell will be fondly remembered for it provided as much to him as a first-time boss as it did in revving the fortunes of a club that had descended into yo-yo status since the heady noughties days led by Ollie Byrne and Pat Fenlon.

Tolka may look the same but the organisation is a world apart.

Mickey O’Rourke and the Doyle brothers, Cathal and Neil, hold the majority shares, with the latter brother intrinsically involved in the day-to-day operations of an outfit they began investing in 14 months ago. 

Former All-Ireland GAA winner Mossy Quinn recently joined as chief executive. Stressing everybody at their club ‘did their best’ to keep Duff as chief, Doyle assured the Reds fanbase that the objective is to continue strengthening the club.

He was adamant the development created “no recriminations, no hard feelings”, describing it “just a parting of the ways for great friends at the end of a journey”.

It remains to be seen if the caretaker spells of Duff’s assistant Joey O’Brien, flanked by other staff members David McAllister and Paul Skinner, will continue beyond this week for their Champions League debut.

One win over two legs against the Irish League champions would treble the guaranteed €1m of prize-money, going a long way to replenishing the trading losses of the club over the past three years.

Shels, sixth in the table, have trips to Waterford on Monday and Galway United on Friday (both 7.45pm).

“Yesterday was a tough day, I’m sure every one of you felt the same,” began the statement directed to the club’s fans who revelled in last year’s unlikely title triumph.

“The Damien Duff era at Shelbourne FC has come to an end.

“It is a great privilege we hold to represent you as we navigate through a day like yesterday. I knew in every word I spoke, to Damien, to the players, to the staff you were all right there with me.

“I have no doubts in saying to you, everybody from staff to players did their best yesterday – I have no regrets.” Doyle referenced the naysayers predicting the regression of a club synonymous with the league’s leading light.

“Every single comment I see about us being reliant on one man, how we’re nothing without a single individual and tolling the death knell of Shelbourne FC will spur us all on to greater things,” he said.

“Our foundations are stronger than they’ve ever been and we will continue to strengthen this amazing club.

“Regardless of how you’re feeling about Damien’s departure, we need you now more than ever.

“Your support is not just for those that take to the pitch, or the staff in the dugout.

“It is for the generations of people to come behind us who will hear of the great triumphs we are yet to have. How we overcame adversity, how we got behind our club and how we proved everybody wrong. Again.

“From the first to the last-minute let’s show the rest of the League of Ireland, and the world, what it means to be a Shels supporter. I will be right there with you.

“Today is the beginning of a new chapter.”