If some of the early naysayers had been proven correct, Damien Duff would have walked away from Shelbourne almost as soon as he arrived.
That he didn’t may have been a surprise to some of those sceptics. But three-and-a-half years later, with an unexpected league title in the bag and a cup final appearance to boot, the Republic of Ireland legend did what he often did to opposition full-backs by eventually catching everyone napping as he exited Tolka Park stage left on Sunday.
There had been signs of growing frustration from Duff about his players’ outputas Shels’ title defence got dragged into a midtable quagmire but with a lucrative Champions League qualifying tie against Linfield only a fortnight away, the sense that the manager would choose to step down right now didn’t seem to be on the cards – although his aside about, “What comes on Monday, who knows? Absolutely, who knows?” after Friday’s defeat to Derry City was either prophetic or telling in hindsight.
But then again, the manner and timing of his resignation shouldn’t be that big a surprise, given his abrupt departure from Stephen Kenny’s Ireland set-up and has since worn his heart very much on his sleeve during this management journey.
Duff had been very candid about the relentless way in which he threw himself into life at Shels, having taken over just before their first season back in the big time.
“I’m not going home now for a glass of wine, dinner and to read stories for the kids. It’s back to work, hitting midnight then getting up early for a meeting to make sure I’m happy for tomorrow. It’s absolutely non-stop. Do I enjoy it? Maybe in a strange way, if that makes sense.”
That passion was evident on the sideline where anyone who would have patented a ‘Duff Cam’ would have made a pretty penny. Often combustible – the touchline bans, multiple yellow cards and occasional mini-feuds with opposition managers would attest to that.
But as results faded, there was some self-reflection recently as he pondered whether the players were subconsciously almost waiting for rollickings from the sideline or in the half-time dressing room to raise their levels.
Over the last three-and-a-half years, Duff had built a siege mentality at Tolka which paid off initially, encapsulated in his early catchphrase about “little old Shels” and the somewhat tongue-in-cheek notion that everyone hated them.
For a man who was coached by Jose Mourinho at the peak of his career, it’s no surprise that he looked to extract some benefits in the us-against-the-world mentality.
But as Mourinho’s management career has shown, often in three-year spans, that pressure cookers burn bright but do boil over quickly.
Like the now Fenerbahce boss, Duff was also magnetic but in his own unique way. Post-match interviews were an event in themselves with the interviewers wondering what quips would be delivered next.
And coupled with his status as one of the greatest players to don the green jersey, it made him one of the leading characters in a League of Ireland that finally was breaking into the mainstream post-Covid.
Anecdotally, some people who had limited to no interest in the LOI would inquire as to how Duff’s Shels were doing.
He was the marketing poster child in a time now where Stephen Kenny, who had the biggest job in Irish football until recently, and Stephen Bradley, who has increasingly and bluntly made his voice heard about matters affecting the Irish game, have increased the status of the LOI.
So Duff’s departure will be a loss to the league, which even his most ardent critics might acknowledge, and the part he has played in elevating its status is self-evident.
But the biggest loss will be to Shelbourne fans for whom he delivered a first league title in 18 years in 2024, well ahead of schedule.
And for the man himself, who almost did it all as a player, who said winning the league with Shels was the “pinnacle” of everything he’s achieved in the game.
What’s next for Duff? Who knows but it will almost certainly be a surprise.
