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‘He builds players up but will also throw them under the bus': Inside the passionate mind of Damien Duff
He's more dedicated to his home base than the trappings of wealth. Now he has shocked the Irish soccer world by quitting as Shelbourne manager. John Meagher profiles the old-school boss who demands high standards
Ciaran Harmon remembers the occasion like it was yesterday. It was April 2024, and Shelbourne – the League of Ireland club he supports – had just beaten fellow Dublin rivals St Patrick's Athletic at home. Damien Duff walked over to where he was standing with a vocal contingent of Shels supporters.
What happened next made headlines. Duff – Shelbourne head coach, ex-Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham star, and long-term Ireland international – asked Harmon to deliver the post-match team talk.
