Jarvis says Duff’s presence drove Shels switch
When a young Will Jarvis watched Damien Duff go toe to toe with Barcelona in the Champions League knock-out stages, little did he know he’d be playing under him at Shelbourne years later.
The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Tolka Park from Hull City before deciding to return on loan for the 2024 campaign. The Reds forward has hit the ground running since, with four goals in eight starts to help Shels go six points clear at the Premier Division summit.
The York native admits the opportunity to learn from a figure like Duff, an Ireland centurion and two-time Premier League winner with Chelsea, was key in his decision to link up with the Drumcondra side.
“I knew he was a great player back in his day. Obviously, I was too young to remember most of his games, but the game I do remember was against Barcelona in the Champions League,” said Jarvis, who this week was named SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for March, ahead of Shelbourne’s Dublin derby at home to Bohemians tonight (7.45).
“The gaffer played the same position as I play, and if I can’t learn off the gaffer, then I can’t learn off anyone. It was a big sway in the decision to come here and I’m glad I made that choice.
“Since I’ve come here, the hints and help he has given me, in terms of little movements, have been so helpful. Little turns and stuff he used in his games to make a career. Even in training, the drills we do, the gaffer will take the attackers for shooting or movement. Honestly, he’s brilliant.”
After National League loan stints at York City and Scarborough in 2022, Jarvis arrived at Shels for a half-season loan spell last summer, scoring twice in 12 appearances to help them secure Europe for the first time in 17 years. Now, back at Tolka on loan until the end of 2024, he’s been relishing the experience.
“I hadn’t played overseas before and I didn’t have much experience in men’s football,” said Jarvis.
“I knew it was going to be tough. I was talking to the gaffer as well, he said it wouldn’t be easy. The first two or three games, I quickly found that out. But the way we play and the way we try to move the ball, it just suits me.
“The loan spells in England were at a lower level of football. The Irish league is a much better standard than what I played at before. I think me and Harry (Wood) settled in well. As soon as we came to Shels, it just clicked. The way we play it suited us both down to a tee.”
All four of the forward’s goals so far this term have come in Dublin derby victories over Shamrock Rovers, Bohs and St Patrick’s Athletic, and with Alan Reynolds’ side arriving at a sold-out Tolka Park next, Jarvis sees no reason why the leaders can’t go on to secure a first Premier Division title since 2006.
“I think we deserve to be up there and we have the squad and the staff to be up there. Obviously, it’s early doors, but I don’t see why we can’t win the league,” he added, having scored against Bohs last month to help his side to a first league victory at Dalymount since 2013.
“Last season when I came, we lost one game in 12 to [Shamrock] Rovers. The form and the team spirit just carried on into this season and improved. This season, we genuinely believe we can win the league.
“It’s going to be a massive game [against Bohemians]. It’s going to be like many derbies, emotional energy, and you don’t know what to expect. They are going to come out flying, so we’re going to have to do the same.”