From Colin Healy to Stephen Bradley - Damien Duff in quotes

Damien Duff's time as Shelbourne manager is over, but even in the first half of this season he delivered more than his share of entertaining, intriguing and thought-provoking quotes.
Here is just a sample of them - with a cameo from Roddy Collins.
Ahead of the new campaign, Duff opened up on interest from abroad and spoke of his commitment to Shelbourne.
'I've had a couple (of approaches) through people or whatever. Joey (O'Brien) rang me last week, a big club in England rang to see if I was interested and we didn't even have the conversation. We just got back onto Shels. I think that shows my interest.
'No. Anybody could ring me, anybody. I'm not just saying it for the sake of it or (for people) to think, 'Oh, he's a good guy'. No, I honestly just want to stay here. I'm surrounded by brilliant people. Am I going in cranky every day? Yeah, but that doesn't mean I don't love them. I've no plans to go anywhere, believe it or not.'
The controversy surrounding the FAI's handling of Colin Healy's exit from the senior Ireland women's coaching staff had Duff speaking up for his former teammate.
'First and foremost I think he's utter class. I don't say that about many people. He's just a class, class guy. He's been let down a few times over his career, back in the day, World Cup and Saipan.
'It's all sliding doors moments in football. I know what's gone on, I know he's been let down, I know he's been treated unfairly. I stand with Colin, that's all I want to say on the matter. Brilliant guy, classy guy, and he's been let down.
'I wasn't surprised. There is nothing for me to rabbit on about. Did I pick up the paper and go 'wow, Jesus, I can't believe that happened'?. No, I didn't. I read the headline and didn't need to read the rest because I wasn't surprised.'
Shelbourne's opening night win over Derry City was almost called off as a power failure at half-time plunged Tolka Park into darkness and led to a 45-minute delay to the start of the second-half.
'I am a big believer in asking for forgiveness rather than permission so, here, if it had gone on any longer I'd probably have went over myself, I wouldn't have had a clue what I was doing but I'd have tried something.'
Duff had some interesting comments on a perceived lack of interest in the senior Ireland team.
'Even me, as a passionate Irishman, I don't even know that the game is this week. God's honest truth. I only found out it was Bulgaria, home and away
'I'm not sure what it means. I don't know. And that's just the mood and the energy on the street.
'It's so worrying. I asked my good friend the other day: 'Do you want to go to the game?' And he laughed at me. I'm not sure whether you would have laughed back in the day.'
Shelbourne defender Lewis Temple is a black belt in kickboxing and a world champion from his time in the sport as a child - but that didn't stop Duff from giving him the hairdryer treatment when needed.
'Lewis, he has had some bashings off me and Joe over the years, but he has never brought any of his moves out on us.'
This month was dominated by a row between Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley and Duff. Bradley, in his programme notes, accused Duff of showing 'a lack of respect' after a 2-2 draw between the two sides, stating that Duff did not shake his hand after the game.
'I wasn't happy. To be honest I don't think it's good enough,' wrote the Hoops boss. 'I said it to Shelbourne's backroom and to be fair to them Joey O'Brien, Dave McAllister and the others, they did what you're supposed to do and waited around to shake hands. I think it's such a lack of respect to do that, win, lose or draw. We were winning 2-0 against Bohs recently and end up losing 3-2 with the last kick of the game. You show the opposition manager respect at the end and shake hands. So I think it's really poor to be honest.'
Duff responded by saying: 'Listen, I think since Stephen got invited down to the Dail, he seems to think he can comment on everything at the minute. I didn't shake his hand after the game, I didn't shake any of the staffs' hands after the game because I didn't think they deserved it. I wasn't even going to shake their hands before the game because it was a lack of respect (in) how he spoke about me before the game.
'It was a lack of respect criticising my character. That's the way I took it. But the game was nearly two weeks ago, so if he is still going on about it, that's all I have to say really.'
With Duff and Bradley at loggerheads, Roddy Collins came up with a solution to get the feuding pair back together.
'I wake up this morning expecting a big headline about Bohemians, another late winner, and what do I get? Bradley and Duffer having handbags in the dugout. Look, I've been around football long enough to know there is no real malice and intent in it, but I think this could be sorted out very quickly, and I think it should be sorted out very quickly.
'I'm going to put a proposal to Damien and to Stephen to share the ring. Get in and share the ring, the two of you, pick a date when the season is over. I'll ref it if you want, and all proceeds go to charity - two charities, one for you Stephen and one for you Damien.
'Let's put this date out there, let's get this promotion. No doubt we'll get thousands. You'd probably get more than you would at a title fight. The most important thing is, sort this out and get a few quid into the bank for charity.'
Suspended for Shels' trip to Bohemians, Duff chose to watch the game on a grassy bank behind one of the goals, leading to a couple of viral photos and plenty of commentary.
'I'm sure an awful lot of people thought I was embarrassed, I wasn't one bit embarrassed. I find it a deeply embarrassing photo for the league. I fought as much as anyone for the league for four years, so you could say I'm mortified - 'Oh, Damien is mortified for himself' - I'm not one bit mortified for myself, I'm mortified for the league.
'We call it the greatest league in the world, I call it the greatest league in the world, but a picture has gone to a lot of countries around the world, some big people in the football world have texted me laughing. I think for too long now people have laughed at Irish football and everything about us.
'Let's not all fool ourselves and get carried away, the league is in a great place, a wonderful place. Yeah, great, the fans coming like you've never seen before, wonderful tight games, the most watched game, I think, in TV history, last year up in the Brandywell, the most exciting league finish in years upon years.
'But let's not get carried away, it was an embarrassing photo for the league, not me.'
Duff also aired his views on the mid-season break.
'Why it's there in the first place, I don't really know. Like I said, there's a real amateurish feel to it. The game finishes Friday night, and it feels like the whole league meets in Dublin Airport on Saturday morning.'
Duff's row with Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley spills into public view as the Shels manager loudly accuses his Hoops counterpart of having 'zero class', as the pair stood on the Tolka Park pitch after Rovers' recent win.
Later, Duff addressed the incident in his post-match press conference.
'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.
Finally, his incredible remarks after the Derry City defeat last Friday.
'This (the Premier Division) is your bread and butter. They are in Europe, in the Champions League, because of the league. I asked them before the (Derry) game, I said it's 18 days until the Champions League, and I said if they'd have a Champions League mentality, motivation, energy here. I'd say pub teams have better motivation, energy, quality than us. Damning words, but I'm correct in saying them.'

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Those public comments did not go down well in the Shelbourne dressing room, and by the time Duff arrived to inform those same players that he was walking away, there was still an element of anger from some about what he had said about them. Duff (left) after winning the league with assistant Joey O'Brien (right). Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO There was still plenty of loyalty, and understandably so given his impact on the dressing room, but the morale was low. Given the emotional connection Duff built up with the fans and many in the squad on the way to the title last season, it was a relatively low key end to it all. It was not a long, drawn out emotional goodbye. There was no lengthy speech or attempts from within the dressing room to force a change of mind. Indeed, there were no more fireworks or harsh words, just a simple, matter-of-fact goodbye from the now former Shels boss. Duff on the touchline against Shamrock Rovers this month. Dan Clohessy / INPHO Dan Clohessy / INPHO / INPHO It was a goodbye delivered after the players had already made their way onto the first-team pitch at the AUL Complex in north Dublin. Training then didn't take place. Neil Doyle, co-owner of the club and who was quoted in the press release that confirmed the manager's exit, is understood to have also been present afterwards, and it was hoped Duff could be convinced to perform a dramatic U-turn. 'There are no words that do justice to Damien's accomplishments at Shelbourne FC and what he has done for both the club and the League of Ireland. We look back with immense pride on his time here,' Doyle said in that statement. 'As a club, we move forward with confidence, knowing that the foundations we have jointly built will underpin our continued success. Thank you, Damien, for everything.' 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duff bombshell | The Ireland legend decided he could offer no more to the side who claimed the Premier Division title last season. Duff could not be convinced to rethink his decision to leave the club. Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile The statement released by the reigning League of Ireland Premier Division champions on Sunday confirmed the former Ireland and Chelsea star who led Shels to the title last season has decided he could offer no more to the team after a 1-0 defeat against Derry City on Friday night. 'Shelbourne FC regretfully wishes to announce the departure of Damien Duff as first team manager,' read the club statement. 'Damien informed the club this morning that, after much thought, he has made the decision to resign. He shared the news with the players earlier today. 'While all at Shelbourne FC are deeply saddened by Damien's decision, we fully respect that he feels this is the right choice for him at this time. Duff could not be convinced to rethink his decision to leave the club. Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd 'During his four extraordinary years at Tolka Park, Damien transformed Shelbourne Football Club both on and off the pitch. 'Appointed in November 2021, he took over a newly promoted side and rebuilt it from the ground up. Duff guided Shels to a seventh-place finish and a first FAI Cup Final appearance since 2011 in that debut season. The following year, in 2023, a fourth-place finish brought the Reds back to European competition for the first time in 18 years. 'In 2024, Duff led the Reds to one of the greatest triumphs in the club's 130-year history, clinching the League of Ireland Premier Division title, our first since 2006. On the final day we went to Derry, where a 1-0 win at the Brandywell secured the title in dramatic fashion, marking Shels return to the summit of Irish football. 'The club wishes Damien and his family every happiness and success in the future. His impact on Shelbourne FC was transformational. He will always be one of our own, and we are eternally grateful for the indelible mark he has left on our club. 'Joey O'Brien and the coaching staff will take charge for tomorrow's trip to the RSC to face Waterford and will prepare the team for Friday's away fixture against Galway United.' Duff's decision to step down was a shock, despite his scathing criticism of team following the defeat against Derry. 'I prepared for the game like I was a professional footballer,' said Duff on Friday night. 'My wife probably cursed me at times. Three-hour siesta, ate really well, focused my mind. I would like to really, really know how many of my players prepared like me or as well as me, which is damning. 'There was a severe lack of energy, real flatness, severe lack of quality and you are going to get nowhere. I don't accept that that's our third game in a week. Never have, never will until the day I die. If you are an amazing pro you bounce into the night. Even if you are a bit tired, a bit flat, drag yourself along, give yourself a talking to. 'That's where you have to be an amazing pro, an elite pro, a pro that belongs in the Champions League which are strange words for me to say at the minute. 'Did I smell it on Thursday? Of course! It (training) was awful. It all comes from within, your energy, your motivation, how good a professional you are. 'I don't mind saying it again, because it is absolutely true. It's my energy that has driven the players for four years. I've offered them the dressing room for them to lead this show, this steam train. They've never really done it. Again, tonight, it's me shouting and screaming. Joe (O'Brien – assistant) shouting and screaming. We had a real energy because we were highly motivated men, prepared well and I didn't feel that spark, that energy off the players. 'You're all probably saying 'here he goes again'. I'm trying to drag the team, trying to wake them up, but they never woke up. 'For three years, we've been an incredibly motivated team. If you had a bad night it was a given that you get a reaction. As I told the lads upstairs, I don't know (if there will be one in Waterford on Monday). You never know with us anymore, which is damning. It's damning on me because I'm the manager. 'To become champions again, you have to be hungrier than last year, you have to work harder than last year, and again if you ask that question to our guys, I'm not sure how many would say yes, I smelled these type of issues in pre season. 'I thought I would come back and the dressing room would drive itself, because there's big characters, there's champions in there. It didn't. It's not driven by the players. It's driven by me. And like I said to Darren (Cleary – press officer), you can grab every player down here now and ask the same question: 'Is it Duffer that drives everything?' 'It is, and it gets tiring, but most importantly, it gets frustrating. Yeah, I'm there to help and coach and pick the best teams. I don't think it's the manager that should drive a dressing room that still is.'