44 DUFF: WE CAN’T LOSE EDGE AGAIN
DAMIEN DUFF believes league leaders Shelbourne have rediscovered their edge after confidence was knocked by Galway and Bohemians.
But he let rip at fans’ favourite Shane Farrell, pinpointing why he must knuckle down to play any meaningful part in their title push.
Shels’ lead was whittled down after backto-back defeats to the Tribesmen and Gypsies but they hit back with a point in Monday’s scoreless draw with Shamrock Rovers.
Duff said: “After a wonderful start to the season, I never got carried away. The last three weeks have certainly been sobering. Not for me, but for the players.
Red
“I’m glad they’re back, I’m glad they’re playing with an edge, and they can’t get carried away again. They know that.
“But we can’t just wait for a Dublin derby to get up for a game where we play with a real edge and a passion.”
Farrell is in Duff’s line of fire after his red card against Rovers — just 12 minutes after coming on midway through the second-half.
Shels held out for a point at Tolka but Duff slammed Farrell in his post-match TV interview — and expanded further.
“Regarding Shane, I’m always honest privately and in public. He knows he has let everyone down,” said Duff.
“I used to laugh about his diet, in year one, the chicken fillet rolls, whatever. That time has passed now.
Flashes
“How you live your life off the pitch, how you train usually gets shown up on a match night and it did tonight.”
Farrell has shown ‘flashes’ of his potential.
Duff added: “I get he’s a fan’s favourite and what have you, but he hasn’t deserved to play — not one bit. Flashes? I could go on and give you a flash. I’m 45 and I can’t walk. It’s a hundred minute game nowadays, so flashes aren’t good enough for me.
“I’ve looked back at them, they are two awful tackles.You don’t live right, you don’t train right, you’re a yard off and you’re late in a tackle. It’s not rocket
science to me.”