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'It would be nice to say f**k you to a few people, people who never believed in me'

There’s plenty of easy motivation for Damien Delaney ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup final against Manchester United.

IN AUGUST 2012, Damien Delaney was thrown a lifeline by Crystal Palace.

He had just left Ipswich by mutual consent, bringing an end to a tumultuous four-year period where he’d been part of a chaotic environment at QPR before then growing increasingly disillusioned with football while at Portman Road.

But ever since moving to south London, the Corkman has been quietly content, buoyed by how crucial he’s become to the team.

In a fascinating interview with The Guardian today, Delaney reveals just how low he was prior to signing for Palace.

“You should never make permanent decisions on temporary emotions, so I was going to take three months off to clear my head. I wanted to find out if I’d miss football. Maybe something would come up in the States. And I had this idea I might take up triathlons. But I was finished in England.”

Soccer - Pre-Season Friendly - Fulham v Crystal Palace - Craven Cottage PA ARCHIVE IMAGES PA ARCHIVE IMAGES

He’s relishing Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester United.

Undersold and under-appreciated by many throughout his career, being crowned a winner at Wembley would be ‘vindication’, according to the 34-year-old.

“It would be nice to say ‘fuck you’ to a few people, people who never believed in me. I believed in myself. But we’ll only cherish it if we win it.”

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Eoin O'Callaghan
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