‘It’s like a game of basketball’ – history makes Damien Duff wary of Gibraltar sides ahead of Shels’ Euro return
Shelbourne manager Damien Duff. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
As Shelbourne prepare to end their 18-year exile from European competition in the coming days, Reds boss Damien Duff says past experiences with teams from Gibraltar have made him wary of a tie where the Irish club are favourites.
Duff’s team face St Joseph’s in the first leg of their Europa Conference League first-round tie at Tolka Park on Thursday for a first taste of UEFA action for the club since an Intertoto Cup campaign in 2006.
Despite trying numerous avenues, Duff and his staff drew a blank in terms of getting up-to-date information on their opposition in what will be the Gibraltar side’s first competitive game of the season.
“It’s a bit difficult. There’s nothing really online that you can get, so it’s more pulling stuff off YouTube, which can be difficult, and word of mouth. But who they’re signing, they are keeping their cards close to their chest. As much as I’d like to think we’ll do a lot of work, we really won’t know their strength and their power until we see them next Thursday,” says Duff.
St Joseph’s have lost four of their six away ties in Europe, though they did win at Larne two years ago. And having seen teams like the Irish national side and Celtic struggle with teams from Gibraltar, Duff pushes away that favourites’ tag.
“Are we expected to win? Probably, but I don’t even look at that. I’ll fully respect the opponent. They have Gibraltar internationals in their team and Ireland have struggled historically against Gibraltar. Teams do struggle over there. So our home game is absolutely massive,” said Duff.
“I think Brendan Rodgers’ first game at Celtic, they lost 1-0 to the Imps. So I know how difficult it is. I’ve watched the Ireland games there, I know the type of games they are, the ball is hardly in play, it’s like a game of basketball at times. Like I said, it’s two legs, it’s over 180 or 200 minutes and it starts this week in Tolka.
“Granted, you are saying we are favourites, but we – myself and the lads – will not disrespect them at all.
“They are dogged and they work hard, they are very similar to us, hard to break down. So our attacking play will have to be on point, and I’m sure it will be because there is such excitement about it. People talk about pressure et cetera, but I don’t feel it. I’m sure we’ll bounce into next Thursday.”
