Damien Duff signs new two-and-a-half year deal at Shelbourne
Shelbourne manager Damien Duff. Picture: SPORTSFILE
Damien Duff has committed his future to Shelbourne today by signing a new contract, which is understood to be a two-and-a-half year deal.
The Shels boss was understood to be on a rolling one-year contract at the club and last month claimed to have no knowledge of his own contractual position at Tolka Park.
But today the Ireland centurion has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract at the Reds, with his assistant Joey O’Brien, David McAllister (first-team coach), Mauro Martins (strength and conditioning coach), and Paul Skinner (goalkeeping coach) all joining Duff in extending their contracts with the Drumcondra side as they target a the league title.
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Under Duff, Shelbourne have gone from strength to strength since the Dubliner took charge in November 2021. In his first campaign he led the Reds to a first FAI Cup final since 2011, and solidified their place in the Premier Division with a seventh placed finish.
In 2023, he led Shels to fourth place and with it, European qualification for the first time in 18 years, as they prepare to take on Gibraltar’s St Joseph’s in the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round in three weeks time, with the first leg at Tolka.
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The improvement has continued this term with Shels leading the way in the Premier Division table for the majority of the season so far, after recording big wins away to Shamrock Rovers, St Pat's and Bohemians. With 14 games remaining Shels remain top, two points above second-placed Derry City and 12 ahead of the champions in third, while their FAI Cup campaign begins away to Bray Wanderers next month too.
“The players, the staff and the club are always in my heart and in my head. Time to rise again,” said Duff upon the announcement.
“This new long term agreement solidifies Duff and his coaching staff’s commitment to the club for the foreseeable future and demonstrates the club’s ambition to bring Shelbourne FC back to the pinnacle of Irish football,” added the club.
“Duff has been an integral part of the club’s resurgence in recent years, bringing an elite mentality, experience, expertise, and passion to his role. Under his guidance, the team has seen remarkable growth and development, the board of Shelbourne FC are thrilled to continue this journey together.”
“We are thrilled to have Damien Duff and his coaching staff commit to new long-term contracts with Shelbourne FC,” said Shels CEO Barry Mocke.
“Damien’s dedication, vision, and leadership are invaluable to our club, and we look forward to achieving great things together. I would like to thank the shareholders and board members for backing this decision.”
