MICK McCARTHY reveals the biggest difference between Damien Duff the player and Damien Duff the manager.
The former Republic of Ireland international has taken the League of Ireland by storm since taking charge of Shelbourne.
His tenure thus far reached its apex last season when he guided the Dublin club to the Airtricity League Premier Division title.
Duff’s frank and honest interviews, however, represent a big change from the quiet winger whom Mick McCarthy coached during his time as Ireland manager.
And the 66-year-old admitted that he did not envisage his former player becoming the person he has.
He told the Irish Independent: “Well, he had it as a player.
“He had great confidence in himself, and how he played.
“But no, if you’d have asked me at the time in terms of his personality, how we all perceived him… He was very quiet, kept himself to himself with a dry sense of humour.
“No, I think he seems to me to have changed.
“I haven’t spoken to Duffer for a long, long time, but I read some of the things about him and I’m impressed by how he’s done what he’s done and what he’s achieved, and his personality definitely seems to have changed.”
Duff’s men continued their unbeaten start to the 2025 campaign with a dramatic 1-1 draw away to Galway United.
It was a game not without controversy, however.
Shels had taken the lead through Evan Caffrey before the Tribesmen equalised through an own goal from a corner.
However, there was some confusion when referee Rob Hennessy consulted with his linesman and initially chalked the goal off for offside.
After players protested, he consulted with his linesman again and finally awarded the goal.
And, although a yellow card was shown to both dugouts in the aftermath, Duff admitted that the right call had been made with no infringement at the set-piece.
Duff grinned: “Well I was obviously hoping it wouldn’t be given but I think they made the right decision, it was an O.G. and there was no contact.
“Listen, it’s a good decision from Rob, we’re hard enough on referees 365 days a year, he got that one right, fair play.”
DRAWING A BLANK
After opening the season with two wins, Shels have drawn their last two games – against Shamrock Rovers and Galway – in which they were the better side.
And, although happy overall with his side’s display, he bemoaned his side’s inability to weather the storm after they got their noses in front.
Duff said: “We dominated the ball, we created some good opportunities.
“But we want to win games also. That’s why there’s some slight disappointment that we’ve let two points get away.
“This is the hardest away ground in the country to go to without doubt. I’m very pleased with our form and performance.
“But it’s possibly one that got away. It’s certainly the best we’ve played down here. It was near on the perfect game for 80 minutes.
“We scored a goal and it was as if we were surprised by their energy and what they brought after that – corners, long throws – we didn’t deal with it, didn’t take the ball out of pressure.
“They built up a head of steam, that’s what they do and they’re very good at it.
“They get the equaliser and we settled back down, had a couple of chances to get the equaliser.
“I’m very proud of them, very, very good but for 80 minutes.
“That five or 10 minutes, we didn’t deal with wave after wave of attack but we’ll take the point and move on.”