Ruaidhrí Higgins on meeting Damien Duff for the first time

Ruaidhri Higgins

Ruaidhri Higgins Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

Rónán MacNamara reports from the Aviva Stadium

Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins will come full circle on Sunday as he goes from idolising Damien Duff to being his opposite number in Sunday’s FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium.

The year was January 1998 and Higgins who was only thirteen at the time was on trial at Blackburn Rovers. Having watched the Ewood Park side trounce Aston Villa 5-0 in the Premiership he was desperate to meet his childhood hero and get Duffer’s autograph.

“I remember it, he asked me where I was from and stuff. He probably didn't give a shite. Small talk and got his autograph and off I went,” laughed Higgins who has since lost the signature after multiple house moves.

“He was only 18 but he was flying at the time. Blackburn were trying to sign me at the time, and I asked to meet Damien.

“They walked me down the corridor and I had the pen and paper. It’s ironic what life throws up at you because I’m sure we’ll be roaring and shouting at each other on Sunday.”

The pair have crossed paths on numerous occasions since that day in Lancashire with both part of Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland staff although Duff couldn’t recall their brief meeting.

“I said it to him when I kind of met him coming into the Ireland setup. Aye, that was it, he obviously didn't remember,” giggled Higgins who soon left his post as chief scout to take the reins at the Brandywell.

Since then, they have faced each other four times in the Premier Division and have developed a good rapport, exchanging texts with each other while Duff acknowledged Higgins is one of the few managers he hasn’t fallen out with...yet.

The dynamic surrounding Sunday’s showpiece is an interesting one. While Higgins’ Derry are the favourites to lift their first FAI Cup in a decade the majority of the attention will be on Damien Duff’s Shelbourne, something which the Candystripes boss feels his opposite number deserves given what he achieved in his playing career.



“I worked with Damien but didn’t know him at all before that. He obviously didn’t remember when I first met him. I had been in awe of him, he was the best winger in the world at the 2002 World Cup.

“I’m fully aware he’s one of the all-time greatest players to wear the green jersey. A lot of the attention will be around him this Sunday which is fine and rightly so.

“Not only was he an unbelievable footballer but a really good coach. I saw that first-hand and from seeing him first-hand and maybe nicked a couple of things off him.

“He has done a really good job. I think Joey O'Brien was a really shrewd appointment as well. He has done a great job and I have nothing but respect for him. I have got to know him and we have a decent enough relationship. He's an outstanding coach and a good fella and we wish him all the best, but not on Sunday,” added Higgins.

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