Damien Duff

[DannyInvincible]

According to Alan Smith of ExtraTime.ie, Trap says Duff informed him of retirement last week by text: https://twitter.com/alansmith90/stat...10430494863360

[Charlie Darwin]

The method of communication would have been most pleasing to Trap, even if the content of the message wasn't.

[DannyInvincible]

So, what was Paul Hyland writing about yesterday?

[back of the net]

Very Confused by this if the retirment is true....RTE sayin he is gone but he came out a few weeks ago sayin he was going nowhere.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish...s-gather-pace/

[Charlie Darwin]

So, what was Paul Hyland writing about yesterday?

The contents of his large intestine, one would imagine.

[DannyInvincible]

Very Confused by this if the retirment is true....RTE sayin he is gone but he came out a few weeks ago sayin he was going nowhere.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish...s-gather-pace/

Well, he's definitely retired. The FAI have a tribute on their site:

The Football Association of Ireland today announced that Damien Duff has decided to retire from international football. The 33 year old has played for the Republic of Ireland since 1998, earning 100 senior caps, making him one of only five Irish players ever to do so.

At underage level Damien Duff was a star player in Brian Kerr’s side that finished third in the 1997 World Youth Championships. He made his debut for the senior team in March 1998 against the Czech Republic alongside Robbie Keane who earned his first cap in the same match. He went on to become one of Ireland’s greatest players, working his magic on the wing for a succession of Irish managers and competing in two major championships.

The player found it very difficult to make his decision. He had been discussing the matter with Giovanni Trapattoni for some time but is sure in his mind that he is choosing the right moment to bow out and make way for the next generation to come through.

Announcing his decision today, Damien Duff said,
“It has always been a source of immense pride for me to represent my country. I found it very difficult to make this decision, not least for the respect in which I hold Giovanni Trapattoni. I have enjoyed so many good times in the green jersey and want to thank everyone involved, especially the fans for making the last 14 years so special. I want to wish Giovanni, Marco and everyone involved with the Irish team every success for the future and will be supporting them every step of the way.”

Some comments from Trap, Delaney and Paddy McCaul:

Commenting on the news, Giovanni Trapattoni said, “Damien will be missed by us and by Irish fans everywhere. He was immensely skilful and a great example to the players who come after him. I give him my warmest best wishes for his future career.”

Paddy Mc Caul, President of the FAI said, “Damien produced some moments of unforgettable magic on the pitch that will remain with Irish fans forever. We thank him for his enormous dedication over the last 14 years.”

John Delaney, Chief Executive added, “I have no doubt that Damien Duff will go down in history as one of Ireland’s greatest ever players. He has been an extraordinary servant to his country and has given us all some wonderful memories as well as being a true gentleman. Thank you Damien and all the best for the future.”

[Murfinator]

I don't understand this given all the comments we've heard in the past few weeks. At least 3 seperate sources quoting Duff confirmed he wanted to continue on, his retirement wasn't even something anyone was entertaining.

To hear this is just devastating. Our best player bar nobody, his stats in the Euros absolutely dominated every other outfield player in almost every aspect. We're royally ****ed.

[Charlie Darwin]

It's quite probable he just changed his mind between his original comments and now.

[EastTerracer]

To be honest, I am not that surprised. The stuff quoting friends and family is usually not reliable and, as I pointed out yesterday, the message when he was flying out to Lebanon wasn't consistently reported by the two main newspapers.

Duff did say he would play football until he dropped in that "interview" but I don't think it was 100% clear that he said he wouldn't retire from international football (apart from the Irish Times version). My interpretation was that he would never stop playing football entirely.

More importantly though, we were lucky to have him for 14/15 years. One of my favourite Irish players ever and he owes us nothing.

Thanks for everything Duffer!

[Murfinator]

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/du...l-3208487.html

Quality herald journalism from just yesterday.

[back of the net]

Just Came across this....fittingly it was posted by Eirebhoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYogG8x_im0

[DannyInvincible]

What was the actual explanation behind this one?:



Adhering to old Lansdowne tradition whilst caught up in the passion of the moment? Wasn't the tricolour hung from the roof of the east stand, explaining why all the other players faced in that direction?

[Charlie Darwin]

Maybe he was just asleep.

[paul_oshea]

He seemed to be asleep a lot.

I find this could be a blessing in some ways, for some games, but hte bigger ones when we need to relieve possesion and win frees i would worry.

Duffer from the bench in a tight game where we need to hold onto possession or relieve pressure, would have been perfect. Perhaps he wasn't happy with a bench role and would only want to play the full game.

Well done, a great servant and always seemed a gentleman will never forget when he went to the guy in the wheelchair in bulgaria and took off his top and handed it to him, he had crossed the length of the pitch and made a beeline for him, somethign he had obviously decided from early in the game.

A great player, and a great ambassador for all thats good about Irish football.

[geysir]

It's quite probable he just changed his mind between his original comments and now.

Maybe Trap made it clear (via Tardelli) that he wouldn't be first choice any longer.
Duff had said he would play until he drops but maybe he meant to say 'until he was dropped'.

[rebelmusic]

I just got a sick feeling in my stomach realising that we'll never see duffer in the green jersey again. Feels like a hot chick just dumped me...

[elroy]

Shows how much Paul Hyland and the Herald knows, why anyone would waste their time with that paper.

Sorry to see Duffer go. Somewhat surprised but then again he is 33, he probably has only 2 years left at the very top and would be 35 in a WC. Also werent there stories that one of his kids was sick around the time there was speculation a player had to pull out of the squad.

I personally think there is a place in the squad still for the lad, be in as an impact sub or even for the LB role but look Duffer owes us nothing. Its always sad to see someone as committed and as talented as him retire. The trip away to Slovakia when injured, the tears in Paris - the guy was not just a player but a fan and all of us fans could understand him as it was clear how much it meant to him to play for Ireland. Can anyone ever remember Duffer ever causing any Irish set up the slightest bit of grief.

I recall the campaign including Israel and Russia, for Euro 2006 I think, he was our best and strongest player. But throughout his Irish career he was consistently good, from the early days to 2002, to the Kerr era to Traps days. Its a word used too far, but a real legend of Irish football.

Thanks Duffer, you will be sorely missed.

[Olé Olé]

Sickened to see the Duffer pack in international football. Never gave less than 100% for Ireland in terms of effort, effort which combined equal parts ingenuity and hard work, which has to be admired in a winger. Furthermore, of the Euro 2012 squad, he's the only player to have made an integral impression at a top 4 side in the past ten years. On this basis, one could deem him the best Irish player since Roy Keane. His form around the time of the 2002 World Cup (before, during and after), sometimes playing as a striker at international level, certainly merits such a tag.
His club career isn't over yet, so I wish him many more fruitful years representing Ireland in the Premiership and whatever else follows.

[Murfinator]

Scored again today, against Man Utd in Old Trafford.

[Charlie Darwin]

Call him up Trap!