Eamon Sweeney: Damien Duff’s domestic bliss

Shelbourne boss has succeeded in shining a light on home front

What makes Duff different is his incredible enthusiasm for the domestic game. Picture by Stephen McCarthy

Damien Duff’s passionate affair with the League of Ireland is the best love story in Irish sport right now. They’re made for each other. He’s the best thing to happen to the League in years. And the League is the best thing to happen to him.

Last week the Shelbourne manager declared that “the leading light of Irish football is not the national team but the League itself. It’s bigger, better and more important.”