The Ireland and Chelsea legend has revitalised both Shelbourne and himself in the last two years
But then boredom kicked in and the next six months felt like prison, one day bad, the next worse.
Then Stephen Bradley, at Shamrock Rovers, suggested he try a bit of coaching. “I was useless at the start.”On Friday, Damien Duff’s Shelbourne team moved five points clear of the chasing pack at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division, defeating the reigning FAI Cup holders, two weeks after they had beaten the defending league champions.
Instead he posed them a challenge. “Cheer loud enough and I’ll give you Monday off training,” he said. The subsequent roar could be heard in neighbouring streets. And now it is all these Shelbourne players have known since he walked into their world two years ago. It’s showing in their results, five wins and a draw taking Shelbourne clear of the pack, the first time they have been in this position since 2006.
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