As of the 22nd of June 2025, it was announced that Damien Duff would be leaving his post as manager of Shelbourne FC.
This came as a shock to fans and players alike, as the news was sprung on the team minutes after their scheduled analysis ahead of the trip to Waterford the next day.
This news sent shockwaves around the league, and shocked those who adored him and those who despised him. What was most shocking is that he left just weeks away from Shelbourne’s Champions League games.
This article is to reflect. To look back on what Duffer has done over the last few years for Shelbourne, and the league as a whole.
Year 1: The Arrival.
On the 3rd of November 2021, it was to many people’s surprise that Damien Duff was appointed first team manager of newly promoted Shelbourne. Many thought this would be a short stint in charge and, to quote many, he’d be gone by “Easter”.
Drogheda 0-2 Shelbourne (25/2/22)
This was the second game of the season, and Duffer’s first win in charge of the Auld Reds. It was two second half goals from Dan Hawkins and Mark Coyle which would give his side the edge of the blue and claret army.
St Pats 1-2 Shelbourne (20/5/22)
This game Damien Duff was still suspended, so watched on in the stands in Richmond Park, but quite a result came that day. Shels were first to score, with Jack Moylan scoring, with Joe Redmond equalising. Later on in the second half Lunney would score the winner and get the win over The Auld Reds bitter rivals from many years ago.
Waterford 0-1 Shelbourne (16/10/22)
FAI Cup semi final away to Waterford. An ambitious day for the reds, where a Gavin Molloy goal in the 16th minute secured the Reds a place in Lansdowne Road. A nerve racking affair for many in that away end, but a brilliant display by Shelbourne making it to a cup final.
Shelbourne 6-0 Drogheda (28/10/22)
This was the penultimate game of the season, and a huge win. This broke an eleven game winless streak. An early lead was secured by Moylan, which was then followed up by JR Wilson. Then Sean Boyd slotted two penalties to give the reds a 4 goal lead. In the second half, Matty Smith and Aodh Dervin closed the affair for the Reds.
Derry City 4-0 Shelbourne (13/11/22)
A day of mixed emotions for many Shelbourne fans. A heartbreaking defeat, but a reminder of how far the club had came since times such as 2016. A day to remember for Shelbourne fans, even if it wasn’t for merit.
Year 2: The Foundation of Success.
2023 was a special year for Reds fans as the club secured Europe this year and would be playing in Europe for the first time since 2006. Let’s reflect on the journey that brought about the European tour the next year.
Shelbourne 1-0 Bohemians (3/3/2023)
A huge 3rd game of the season. On the back of a scoreless 2 games before and a loss to Pats, it was time for the Reds to turn their fortunes around and no better opponent to do it against than their North Dublin neighbours. A botched clearance by the Bohs keeper led to Kian Leavy capitalising on the mistake and putting the Reds ahead. A later red card would hinder any chance of Bohs catching up.
Shelbourne 2-1 St Pats (1/9/2023)
Shels had a long shot chance at Europe, but they knew a lot would have to go their way to get it. First a 4th place league finish and then hope a team above them wins the cup. But firstly they needed a league result against St Pats. First half calamity ensued as Joe Redmond left Shels trailing for the majority of the game. In the 80th minute, Euclides Cabral would sub on for Shelbourne, and in his first touch in a Shels’ jersey, he scored, sending the Riverside into a frenzy. Then in the 90th minute, Tolka erupted after a Paddy Barret header secured Shelbourne the win over their bitter rivals from the Southside.
Shelbourne 3-2 UCD (27/10/2023)
A win was needed. A win would greater our chances of securing European football. We got our win, but we made it hard for ourselves. Harry Fisk, new goalie recruit from Hull started the game on the back of an issue with Conor Kearns. This alone nearly costed Shelbourne Europe, as after a 20th minute penalty scored by Moylan, UCD scored minutes into the second half because of a Fisk mistake. But just minutes after, Moylan managed to put Shels in front again. In the 83rd minute, silence was echoed in tolka park as UCD managed to score again. Europe was at stake, and every fan in Tolka Park was nervous. It was nearly done and dusted, but Shelbourne got another penalty. Moylan lined up and scored, securing his hat trick and keeping hope alive. Seismic celebrations followed.
Drogheda 2-4 Shelbourne (3/11/2023)
This was it now. A win here would put our best bid in for Europe. But again, we had to do it the Shelbourne way. Two first halves goals by Drogheda sent the Auld Reds into half time not only losing a football match, but also their ambition of European football for the next year. But alas, Shelbourne rose to expectations in the second half with a brilliant performance. Minutes after the second half started Jack Moylan would open his account for the game. Again minutes after that goal Jarvis would put his name on the scoresheet, tying the game just 9 minutes into the second half. Moylan would score his last goal in red, and later Paddy Barret would score the fourth, meaning if a St Pats were to win a cup final against Bohemians, Shelbourne would return to European glory. And they did.
Year 3: Glory.
This was the year. Shelbourne secured their 14th League of Ireland title. 18 long years they waited.
Shelbourne 2-1 Shamrock Rovers (23/2/2024)
A moment for all Shelbourne fans to remember. A historic victory over their Ringsend Rivals. For unknown reasons, Tyreke Wilson stepped up to take a penalty in the 4th minute and missed. But Shels didn’t sit back. Minutes later Mark Coyle scored a brilliant goal putting the reds in front. Just 10 minutes after that a brilliant kick out from Conor Kearns and an amazing touch and shot from Jarvis would put the reds in a historic position. A second half goal by Rory Gaffney wouldn’t be enough though, and Shelbourne secured their first win against Shamrock Rovers since 2012.
Bohemians 0-2 Shelbourne (8/3/2024)
A very tight affair for most of the game between two bitter neighbours. Alas, in the 80th minute Bohs gave Shelbourne a penalty after a chopping tackle, which saw Will Jarvis put the reds in front. Just 5 minutes later, a brilliant corner effort saw Gav Molloy put the nail in the coffin and secure a huge win away to Bohs. Celebrations ensued, but Shelbourne fans knew then they had something special on their hands.
St Pats 1-2 Shelbourne (20/5/2024)
An early header by Sean Boyd would put the reds in front for the majority of the game. A sensational Jake Mulraney free kick would level the game. Then, the moment happened. In the 96th moment, Shelbourne was on the attack. The ball fell for Caffery in the box, he took a touch, and slotted it bottom left passing many bodies. The away end erupted into pandemonium. A gentle brew of chaos and excitement. A moment for all in that away end to remember.
Shamrock Rovers 0-2 Shelbourne (24/5/2024)
Just days after a heroic last minute win in Inchicore, the reds traveled to Tallaght Stadium to take on another one of their Dublin foes. Two bad mistakes by Rovers caused two penalties for Shelbourne, which were both slotted away by Will Jarvis. A Lopes red card on the back of one of those penalties didn’t help Shamrock Rovers any more. A week to linger in the heads of Shelbourne fans for long. This win also put Shels 6 points clear at the top.
Shelbourne 2-1 St Joseph’s (11/7/2024)
The return to Europe was upon us. The phoenix rose out of its ashes. Shelbourne faced St Joseph’s of Gibraltar in the Conference League. Just 27 seconds into the game we saw Mark Coyle slot a goal home and secure the Reds an early lead. In the 40th minute they managed to equalise, but the Reds saw it out, and a Jarvis penalty would put the reds back in front and win the home tie. Alas Shelbourne drawed in the away time after many controversy regarding bookings and would play Zurich.
Shelbourne 0-0 FC Zurich (1/8/2024)
Losing 3-0 on aggregate already, the second tie was in Tolka Park. The Reds managed to hold their dignity in front of the home crowd, holding off Zurich from extending their league. Although a loss on aggregate, this was seen as a tremendous effort by Shels.
Derry 0-1 Shelbourne (1/11/2024)
This was it. The final day. It all came down to here. Shelbourne needed a win to win the league, or hope Waterford could beat Shamrock Rovers. There wasn’t a better stage for this then the home of the team who fought them the whole year for top but succumbed a few games earlier. The scene was set.
The whole game was a tight affair. Meanwhile in Tallaght Stadium, Shamrock Rovers were winning 2-1, and looked the dominant side throughout.
Every Shelbourne fan was nervous, whether you were in the Brandywell away end, in Tolka Park watching it on the big screen or at home. All of this year, every bit of progress this year came down to this, and we were slowly watching it slip away.
But then, it happened. Sean Boyd took a free kick, it deflected off Brian Maher but Harry Wood lingered to the right and managed to slot away the deflection. A
A nerve wracking few moments followed but alas Shelbourne won and secured their first league title in 18 years. A historic moment for Damien Duff who took a newly promoted side to the pinnacle of Irish football in just 3 years.
Year 4: Farewell.
Damien Duff’s side as of this article currently sit 6th, but there was no resentment from either fans or the board about the performance so far. Highlights occurred such as the win over Derry at the start of the year and the 2-1 last minute win against St Pats at home or the 0–1 win away to pats to turn the form around.
Shelbourne 0-1 Derry (20-6/2025)
Hopes were very high going into this game. But if you told any Shelbourne fan in Tolka Park that day that it would be Duff’s last game in charge, you would be laughed out of Tolka. But it was. Not necessarily because of the merit of the game, but it was.
A Strange Exit.
Many cite how strange of an exit this was. Damien Duff told the board the day before their trip to Waterford that he would be leaving. Literal minutes before their analysis meeting. Duff could not be persuaded to stay, and alas he told the team that he ‘took them as far as he could’.
This later broke to the media, and to the shock of many League of Ireland fans, the news was true. A strange exit considering that Champions League football lied mere weeks ahead of him.
Many infer the exit as him being tired of the squad. In interviews before, he mentioned that he felt he prepared a lot more for games than any of the players. He said he would have a ‘3 hour siesta’ before games and cited how players in the locker room lacked the same energy.
A final word.
Damien Duff’s time at Shelbourne will forever be remembered. He is the embodiment of passion. He rebirth, rebuilt and brought back the soul to Shelbourne. In just a few short years he took Shelbourne from relegation scraps to the height of the league and European tours.
His sudden and peculiar exit will close a remarkable chapter and era not only in Shelbourne but in League of Ireland history. The curtain has fallen on a palpable run in charge.
I hope this is all a ploy to regain squad confidence as they realise what they lost, but that is a very far fetched take, and I don’t see this being a gambit by Duff.
Duff will forever echo in their heads.
