DAMIEN DUFF ISSUED a stinging rebuke to one of his own players in the aftermath of Shelbourne’s 0-0 draw at home to Shamrock Rovers.
Shane Farrell – a fan’s favourite at Tolka Park – was introduced off the bench shortly after the hour mark, but was on his way down the tunnel 11 minutes later having picked up two bookings for fouls on Josh Honohan and Darragh Nugent.
Shels therefore played the last 20 minutes with 10 men, but held out for a point that keeps them top of the league, three points clear of Rovers, Derry, and Bohemians. (Rovers and Bohs each have a game in hand.)
Speaking to reporters after the game, Duff did not hide his annoyance at Farrell, saying his diet and standards in training are not good enough.
“Here, I am always honest privately and in public”, said Duff about Farrell. “He knows he has let everyone down. I used to laugh about his diet in year one, the chicken fillet rolls, whatever. That time has passed now. How you live your life off the pitch and how you train usually gets shown up on a match night, and it did tonight.”
When it was put to Duff that this was the reason Farrell has been out of the team in spite of his flashes of brilliance, the Shelbourne manager accentuated his point.
“I get he’s a fan’s favourite and what have you, but he hasn’t deserved to play”, said Duff. “Not one bit. Flashes. I could go on and give you a flash: I’m 45 and I can’t walk. It’s a hundred minute game nowadays, so flashes aren’t good enough for me.
“Shane doesn’t erupt. I wouldn’t call that an eruption. I’ve looked back at them, they are two awful tackles. You don’t live right you don’t train right, you’re a yard off and you’re late in a tackle. It’s not rocket science to me. As I told him up there he won’t ruin the players’ night.”
Duff was however thrilled with his side’s result against the injury-depleted champions, who were without all of Graham Burke, Gary O’Neill, Aaron McEneff, Jack Byrne, and Neil Farrugia. After a brilliant start, this was Shels’ fifth straight game without a win, but Duff was positive about it.
“It was a really good performance. It was probably a worrying three weeks, I am looking at the guys and I am slaughtering them, we have been off in every aspect on and off the pitch. We can safely say tonight the club has their team back and long may they stay back.”
Stinging indeed! Very enjoyable game for a 0-0 both sides left it all on the pitch. Good for me as a Bohs supporter as well that’s us level on pts with Rovers and 3 off Shels in top spot with a game in hand didn’t see thst coming a few weeks ago but it just goes to show how competitive the league has become and how important a string of wins is. Its wide open and have a feeling it will be until the last few games of the season. G’wan the league of Ireland!!
How does it benefit to criticise the players like this in public? I love what Duff is doing at Shels, he’s been brilliant! And generally he’s a very good communicator, for Shels and the league at large. But if he keeps blaming his players like this in the press he’ll lose the room. Sort it out in-house.
@Ruairi Galavan: I disagree, which players has he spoken negatively about in public beside tonight? He’s obviously having a problem with this guy and I bet he’s tried solving it in private but to no avail and maybe has had enough now.
@Der Calnan: last week after Galway. Laid the blame squarely at the feet of his players in a post match interview. He could well be right! I’m just saying prosecution via the media has a short shelf life in terms of the players’ patience. If they keep dropping points and he keeps blaming them in public, things could spiral.
The league is doing well but sadly when Rovers get there players all back they will be too strong. Like last season Bogs started great this season it’s Shels as good as it would be for the league most of the league is too far behind that Rovers team.
Duff bang out of order on this . Personalised attack on a player in public intent on humiliation. Not good . This should be an house matter .