Damien Duff the ‘proudest man in Ireland’ after leading Shelbourne out for the first time as manager

Rónán MacNamara reports from Tolka Park 

Damien Duff insisted walking his Shelbourne team out to a full Tolka Park for the first time on Friday made him the “proudest man in Ireland” despite his side falling to a 3-0 defeat to St. Patrick’s Athletic on the opening night of the Premier Division.

A stunning effort from Darragh Burns and second-half strikes from Mark Doyle and Jason McClelland gave the Saints the three points but Duff was in a positive mood after the game believing the score was harsh on his troops.

“I think the lads were absolutely magnificent, we created a lot of chances and got into a lot of dangerous areas,” said the former Ireland international. “I don’t think 3-0 is a fair reflection of the game.

“I thought the way we played at times was everything we had been working on. We are massively disappointed to lose but the lads were brilliant, they never felt threatened in the game when Pats had the football we had a good shape.

“It was a brilliant [atmosphere], the fans were amazing they stuck with the team, we are a young team. It’s a special group already the one thing at half time I got rather animated because I thought the first 45 minutes was good for them to know that the players absolutely belong here and to believe and give more.

“Awfully disappointed, they know what they signed up for, it might sound bizarre losing 3-0 but tonight will give them a lot more belief,” he added.

Jack Moylan made his much anticipated debut for the Reds after making the move from Bohemians in the offseason which Bohs will likely live to regret.

The 20-year-old was the bright spark for Shels getting into numerous promising positions but his final shot let him down at times. 

Playing as one of the number tens in Duff’s 3-4-2-1 formation which mirrored Shamrock Rovers’ shape at times, Moylan impressed the Tolka Park faithful and Duff is backing him to light up the Premier Division this season.

“Jack will score a lot of goals this season. He’s got a hunger and desire to that’s irrelevant to how many games he has played when you look at his quality tonight.”

Shels will travel to Head in the Game Park to face Drogheda next Friday night in what will be Drogs’ first game of the new season after their fixture with Finn Harps fell foul to the weather last night.

League of Ireland Monday night football returns to our screens https://t.co/0UM6oUyIeLpic.twitter.com/KTPpEqFPEx

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 20, 2022