Duff: Kids want to play rugby nowadays, not football

DAMIEN DUFF has offered a withering assessment of the current state of Irish football as he insists that on the back of both Leinster and Ireland’s successes this season, most youngsters nowadays want to play rugby instead.

Working as Shamrock Rovers’ U-15s coach, the former Ireland winger has first-hand experience of what he believes is a major concern over the direction that Irish football is moving.

The 39-year-old recently spent time in the Leinster set-up as he looked to broaden his coaching horizons, and was very impressed.

“You see the rugby lads this year and kids just want to get out on the street and play rugby and it’s the same when Ireland are in a major tournament,” Duff said. “You can say that for the last 10 years. Even though we got to the Euros in 2012, rugby for me has had more success for clubs and the national team.

“The thing that helps us as football fans is that football is the biggest game in the world. But if you’re looking from an Irish sporting point of view, what’s our successes? A kid is going to want to go out and play rugby, not football.

ADAMANT

“They’re going to want to watch the Irish rugby team, the Grand Slam just gone – they’re not going to sit in and watch us against the USA or us against France. I hate to say it, you’re going to play the PlayStation. That’s the truth.”

Duff is adamant that for this “worrying” trend to change, young Irish football hopefuls need exciting players, who can provide big moments to look up to.

“If you’re 11 years old, what are you looking for? You’re looking for something to go, ‘Wow, I want to watch this game tonight’,” he added. “I hope there are players coming through. We’ve built up Declan Rice who looks a player. If you’re a kid, you want to see magic and he’s a different type of player. He will be a great player for Ireland but ... to bring that spark. It’s not rocket science, that’s what you do when you’re a kid. Whatever sport. When Wimbledon’s on everyone gets out and plays tennis. Can the Irish football team inspire kids to get out?”

DAMIEN DUFF insists that the current England squad lack the same kind of passion that Irish players have, and that is what will ultimately be their undoing in what he expects to be another doomed World Cup campaign.

The former Ireland winger acknowledged the quality within the inexperienced English squad, but he doesn’t believe it will be enough to trouble any of the big boys in Russia.

“I think their quality will get them so far, maybe they don’t have the clique going on,” Duff said.

“I see English players pulling on the jersey – do they want to die for it or would they take a bullet for their country, like say an Irish team would? I’m not sure.

“You have to have that to win a trophy. They have quality, I wouldn’t be so sure about the group as a whole.”

Duff also suggested that some England players look upon big occasions with their clubs as the pinnacle of their careers.

“Possibly their biggest nights is the Champions League and their club stuff, and they’re getting their half a million quid a week.

“But for me, I won a couple of leagues and what have you, but it was still the biggest honour to pull on the Irish shirt. Maybe it’s just in our blood, who knows?”

Duff is hoping to see Argentina go all the way in Russia, primarily because the ‘romantic’ in him, wants to see Lionel Messi win.

“I’m just relying on Messi’s magic,” Duff maintained.

“He’s the best every time. Nowadays with the Champions League he’s compared to Ronaldo and yeah the stats are similar, but as an out-and-out footballer, Messi wins hands down.”

Duff did, however, admit that was his heart ruling his head and if it was the other way around, France are his ‘ones to watch’, despite Les Bleus dredging up painful memories after Thierry Henry’s handball in 2009.

“I went to France v Italy the other night and if they hit top gear, which you never know, if they even decide to train, they’re not loved over there but you can’t ignore their quality,” he added.

“I’ll have a laugh and a joke about it (handball). But I would have done the same (as Henry), I have absolutely no problem with them. I went to the game the other night, myself and my son both wore French jerseys.”