Damien Duff

[Charlie Darwin]

If he's half crocked he can go to Tallaght, but if there's still some life in him, he would do well with a team that makes an attempt to play football, like Dundalk.
I know you're being a bit cheeky but you're right that Dundalk play better football, however Dundalk are part-time and I suspect that would drive him mad travelling up for training at 8pm every evening.

[geysir]

He'd have the day off and it's a chance to drive his Maserati on the motorway for 40 minutes each way, sanctuary from his mundane home life.

[Charlie Darwin]

40 minutes? Somebody's optimistic!

[thischarmingman]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess! I have just become a Melbourne City fan after years of favouring Victory. Fickle, but ecstatic!

As a Sydney FC fan, I'm disappointed to see him opt for Melbourne (not that Sydney were in the running for him) but excited to have him in the league. Apparently he's under the salary cap too, so they're still free to add another big international talent. Looks like they could be tearing things up next year.

[geysir]

As a Sydney FC fan, I'm disappointed to see him opt for Melbourne (not that Sydney were in the running for him) but excited to have him in the league. Apparently he's under the salary cap too, so they're still free to add another big international talent. Looks like they could be tearing things up next year.
Out of interest, what's his salary?
I'd presume he would get benefits, house etc. thrown in.

[Yard of Pace]

The same thing happened a couple of years back when Zambrotta said he'd love to play in Ireland but the clubs here would be too scared to even ask.

Never knew that. Any idea where his holiday home near Dublin is? Presumably a caravan in Brittas Bay or Courtown?

On topic, anyone going to see Duffer playing in Bray on Sunday?

[Charlie Darwin]

Never knew that. Any idea where his holiday home near Dublin is? Presumably a caravan in Brittas Bay or Courtown?

On topic, anyone going to see Duffer playing in Bray on Sunday?
Bit sketchy on the details now but as far as I remember he moved here semi-permanently after he retired. Was living out in the DART direction, Dalkey or Killiney or somewhere. Assume he still has the house but lives in Switzerland now.

[pineapple stu]

Mentioned on wikipedia too, though backed up by a dead TV link. He plays in the Swiss league these days.

Missed that completely!

[tetsujin1979]

Duff playing for Melbourne City VS Sydney FC, game being broadcast live on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/NY2YTEEsGUg?rel=0

[gastric]

Duff playing for Melbourne City VS Sydney FC, game being broadcast live on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/NY2YTEEsGUg?rel=0

David Villa on the bench taking all the publicity from Duffer!

[tetsujin1979]

Duff's still got it
cE8rPxweI0E

[gastric]

Duff was excellent throughout the game against a non existent left back and was voted MOTM by many. Good start to his time in Melbourne.

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/melbourne-city/news/head-coach-pays-tribute-to-duff_181809.html

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/duff-more-than-an-aleague-support-act-20141012-3hu2x.html

[KK77]

Not sure if the game was live on BT but i know they showed the hilights Saturday evening.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/chelsea/jose-mourinho-pays-tribute-to-damien-duff-he-had-the-appetite-to-kill-matches-30672837.html

Words of praise from Mourinho for Duff as he compares 2005 Chelsea team to the present.

[gastric]

Duffer out until January with a calf strain. Hasn't set the world on fire, particularly since Villa left for New York. Big expectations for Melbourne City because of the Man City link, but don't seem to have a forward who can actually score! Rumours also that the coach might be facing the sack. The point I am trying to make is it will be interesting to see if Duff plays next year in Oz or possibly returns home like he has often said. I would think LOI, here I come!

[Charlie Darwin]

His agent won't be happy with his wage-packet being sliced like that. Hard to see him not taking another year of mad money in Australia and then retiring.

[KK77]

The year out there keeps the tax man away!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/damien-duff-a-league-goal-1857076-Dec2014/

Duff scores his first A-League goal.

[gastric]

Great article on Duffer, in fact a two page spread in Victoria's quality newspaper, on life and playing in Melbourne, playing in the LOI and raising his kids in Ireland. Comes across a sound man!

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/home-is-where-the-heart-is-for-damien-duff--but-business-comes-first-in-derby-clash-20150206-137jz2.html

[tetsujin1979]

had to come off after only seven minutes in today's game for Melbourne City: http://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/article/melbourne-city-fc-secure-point-on-the-road/wmyj6j1bco1g1u0e326xcxxqc
Manager thinks it could be an achilles injury: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/vant-schip-fears-worst-duff

Van’t Schip is sweating on the fitness of Irish winger Damien Duff who limped out of the game after just seven minutes with what looked to be an Achilles injury.
“Damien is a big part of our game plan, especially today with Josh (Kennedy) so we had to change that. Hopefully the injury won’t be too bad – we have to wait and see – but it doesn’t look good," he said.
"He said he felt something snap and then he couldn’t walk or put any pressure on it. That’s not a good sign, but let’s hope when he wakes up, it’s a bit better.”

[gastric]

Duff injured himself pretty badly in this game and may miss the rest of the A League season which will be a great pity. Probably, the next time he plays is in the LOI.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/injury-threatens-damien-duff-s-a-league-career-1.2105963

[KK77]

At least he managed to get out of the rat race that is London for a break. His words. The rat race! LOL

[nigel-harps1954]

Interview on Soccer Republic tonight where he reiterated his desire to play League of Ireland football and will be back in Ireland April/May. Likely to sign for one of the top clubs one would assume.

[Charlie Darwin]

He said he'd be back in the summer, but with an injury like that I'd say he'll be out for a good while. He'll be a free agent so could sign for anyone after that, especially if a club goes far in Europe.

[KK77]

Yes he said he has been reading up on the league he has always wanted to finish his career in.

[Olé Olé]

As a Ballyboden man, would Cabinteely be his most local side? Or did he support someone as a youngster? Richie Sadlier also played with Leicester Celtic as a kid and he's been involved with St. Pat's. See also Brian Kerr.

[Charlie Darwin]

Ballyboden is three minutes from Tallaght. It'd be closer to Inchicore too than Cabinteely. He's apparently going to live in Bray when he retires so presumably Bray will be his local team, or Manchester United going by the number of jerseys you see around there.

[DannyInvincible]

Video of his interview with Tony O'Donoghue on Soccer Republic last night:


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2j41t1_rec363_sport#from=embediframe

[magicman]

Hi all, we have an event today in Melbourne with The Ireland Fund.

Duff is one of the speaker guests.

Anyone have any questions they would like to be asked?

[SkStu]

Bohs or Bray, Damo?

[Charlie Darwin]

Ask him if he has Keith Fahey's phone number :D

[magicman]

Will ask him regards any update on his future.

I'll record as many questions as possible and post here

[zero]

unsure if posted already, but duffer was released by melbourne.

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/melbourne-city-fc/story/2446773/damien-duff-released-by-melbourne-city

[pineapple stu]

Does he fancy one last European campaign I wonder? :)

[DeLorean]

Bray may be on horizon for Damien Duff (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/bray-may-be-on-horizon-for-damien-duff-333947.html)

[Closed Account]

About to be unveiled by Shamrock Rovers according to reports
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/transfer-window/ireland-legend-damien-duff-poised-to-sign-for-shamrock-rovers-31353600.html

Assuming they can afford it (€2500 a week? is that believable?), then a great move for the League.

7 Irish caps in the league if he does sign (Duff, Fahey, McPhail, Healy, Miller, Bennett, Byrne)

[KK77]

About to be unveiled by Shamrock Rovers according to reports
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/transfer-window/ireland-legend-damien-duff-poised-to-sign-for-shamrock-rovers-31353600.html

Assuming they can afford it (€2500 a week? is that believable?), then a great move for the League.

7 Irish caps in the league if he does sign (Duff, Fahey, McPhail, Healy, Miller, Bennett, Byrne)

I read a report earlier that it was nearer to €1000 per week.

[Charlie Darwin]

All the figures being mentioned were pulled out of somebody's arse.

[Kingdom]

You;d have to imagine if Rovers went to the New Balance/Warrior, Pepper and the Maldron and informed they needed 25k for 5 months to have one of Ireland's greatest players to wear kit emblazoned with their logo, that it would be appealing.

[KK77]

One thing is for sure as much as he loves the game he won't be playing for free.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Greed is good.

[geysir]

One thing is for sure as much as he loves the game he won't be playing for free.
Exactly, Duff will be paying for the privilege and honour of doing his swansong in the green and white hooped jersey.
It's his ultimate dream, it was his raison d'etre all these years, Blackburn, Ireland, Chelsea, World cup star, just so he could end his playing days ..... around the corner from Tallaght shopping centre.
I just can't imagine how Duff must be feeling, as his day of days approaches. "Duff comes home".

[nigel-harps1954]

In all fairness, to a man whose been earning millions of pounds, euros, dollars and all the rest for the past 15/20 years, the difference between earning 1,000 a week and 2,000 a week isn't going to make or break him.

He's stated already that money is no object to him and will make no difference in his decision.

Don't think he'll be getting anywhere near 2,500 a week in the League of Ireland unless some big business man is stumping up at least half of that.

[SkStu]

Don't think he'll be getting anywhere near 2,500 a week in the League of Ireland unless some big business man is stumping up at least half of that.

I don't think it is all that unlikely Nidgey. I am completely speculating here but it is not hard to fathom that Fahey and McPhail and a few others in that squad are on a fair wedge - possibly not e2500 but in the 1k to 2k range...despite the fact that Charlie will probably pooh pooh that speculation without offering a more likely scenario in alternative.

[Charlie Darwin]

It shouldn't really be incumbent on anyone to offer a more realistic guess than your guess. McPhail was back at Glebe and preparing for LSL when Nutsy called. Fahey's injury problems, after a poor season by his standards, won't have put him in a great negotiating position. The idea that either are on anything close to 100k a year is downright ridiculous.

Duff's in a different bracket, obviously, but as you'll have noticed the only thing I took issue with apart from the made-up figures (it's up to 3k now, should be pushing 5k by the time his signing is announced, if at all) was whether a big wedge could be clawed back by increased turnover, not whether it's possible someone would offer him that.

[Stuttgart88]

Is he joining Rovers or not?

[peadar1987]

As Brian Kerr said when Duff was on the verge of moving to Chelsea: "Sure what would Duffer do with 100 grand a week? You can only sleep on one mattress at a time"

[Closed Account]

Is he joining Rovers or not?
Who knows?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CJTjZTQWUAAnaSR.jpg

[Stuttgart88]

...interesting. Thanks.

[nigel-harps1954]

Confirmed to Shamrock Rovers on an 18 month deal:

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0714/714793-damien-duff-signs-for-shamrock-rovers/