DAMIEN DUFF, the new Shelbourne boss has said that Irish soccer's infrastructure is "light years away" from the likes of the GAA. He said it's time to have serious dicussion over the substandard training facilities for players in Ireland as the GAA wipe the floor’ with his beloved sport in this department.
Duff has just became the new Shelbourne boss by signing a new two year deal, which has kickstarted his football mangerial career. He admitted that he needed to find himself before leaving his U-17 job, a role he did as a voulenteer was a hard one.
Shelbourne FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of Damien Duff as Men's First Team Head Coach.
Read more below with press conference at 12pm imminent.
📲 https://t.co/p2Czn6kJq3#DublinsFinest | #Since1895 pic.twitter.com/5KgnN8MCKS— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) November 3, 2021
The former Ireland international used his platform to highlight the poor infrastructure in Irish football and the difference between GAA, as his kids got into GAA this summer.
My kids have gone massively into the GAA over the summer. I’ve been to a lot of training grounds and they wipe the floor with football. It breaks my heart and startles me,’ he said.
‘We’re light years behind. This isn’t me having a pop at the FAI. It’s factual. Go see every county, the training grounds, see what players are given. It’s gone wrong somewhere along the line.’
“It breaks my heart and startles me. I remember getting criticised for calling them dinosaurs over the Liam Miller testimonial. That was just to prod them. I’d never take it back because I think it went a long way to getting the game moved to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. I knew what I was doing, to get a reaction.
But what a job they’ve done. It’s ridiculous what Gaelic have and then I look at the football. Everybody talks about Roadstone (Shamrock Rovers base) but Gaelic wipes the floor with Roadstone.
“That’s what we have to give the kids. I don’t know who’s to pay for it, because I’m not educated enough on it. But there are no training grounds. Who is responsible and where has it gone wrong?
His new club Shelbourne are in talks with the FAI over a private entrance and access to pitches, Duff described the League of Ireland are primirive compared to GAA
Shels overspend after the 2006 title win. This resulted in the club heading into the Premier and First Division every year since, as Duff mentioned.
Under Byrne’s stewardship They gambled on spending big and banked on cracking the code, but it didn't beat fruit.
‘I know Shels will lose an awful lot of games next season. I know people will look and say “Aw Damien Duff, he was at Celtic, Ireland, he is this he is that”
‘But I am not. I am bottom of the tree. I am not the best manager in the league. I have an awful lot to prove.
‘I remember Brian Marwood saying to me in Melbourne City (that) managers have to be the best actors in the world after disappointments, and after enjoyments. I might have to become good at acting.
‘I’m going to lose games. It’s probably taken me a week to get my head around that. When you’ve played elite football, it’s probably why you get there because you hate losing. I don’t want to lose games. Whatever happens. Whether it’s a year, two years, five, six, seven, I’ll come out of it better.’
Ollie Byrne can rest easy again if Duff can become the manager quicker than later.
