Damien Duff after his side's victory. Photo: Sportsfile Damien Duff has revealed he showed a “powerful” video to his Shelbourne team just minutes before their return to European football to help inspire them to victory. After an 18-year absence, the Reds returned to Europe last night at Tolka Park with 2-1 victory over Gibraltar’s St Joseph’s in their Conference League first round qualifier.
The Shels boss paid tribute to his side as well as their supporters, saying it was a night of “absolute satisfaction” after Mark Coyle’s remarkable opener after just 27 seconds was followed by Will Jarvis’ winning penalty in the second-half. Duff, now in his third season in charge at Tolka Park, opened up on how an emotional tribute video created by the club’s media team helped inspire his side as they kicked off their European journey with a victory. ‘Tonight is for the people who kept this club alive’ read the video’s caption on Shelbourne's social media.
“They (fans) were amazing. I cried a good few times today, the video you probably saw on Shels’ socials, I thought it was really powerful,” said Duff, as his side travel to Gibraltar for next Thursday’s second leg, with FC Zurich awaiting the winners in the second round. “I didn’t want to show the guys a video, I actually haven’t done one this season.
The last time was a similar time last year. I just asked Daz (Darren Cleary, club media officer) to send it to me. I added in a few bits of my own ju.
