Damien Duff

**KK77** · 12/06/2013, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

He named his son "Woody"???

And his daughter Darcy!

**Yard of Pace** · 18/06/2013, 6:43 PM

He paid tribute to the medical staff who looked after his son: “Doctors and nurses, they should be on the footballers wages, not us, because the things they can do nowadays is just incredible.”

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/inter...8/457333-duff/

Duffer has been my favourite ever player for Ireland, in his play and his personality, and I doubt he'll ever be bettered. (Though I do have a rather embarrassing/funny sex story related to him which happened with a friend of a friend, but hey we've all been there.)

**paul_oshea** · 19/06/2013, 9:24 AM

Your friend and her friends are sluts. Reading that article yesterday made me wonder, did Duff always feel playing football for Ireland was the ultimate, until he realised that when his son was born and subsequently was sick, that he and his family were more important. That in itself made him re-evaluate playing for Ireland and football etc. Therefore there was no decision required, for him it was about his family. I say this because anytime in the past he always only spoke about Football and he didn't know anything else and he would playing for as long as he could, so why stop playing for your country then? I've always liked Duff and like yourself his humility and the understatedness in everything he did whilst representing Ireland was a breath of fresh air, however I still think he did the wrong thing and he shouldn't have retired, somewhat selfish perhaps. Playing for your Country is the ultimate, and should always be. However I am becoming more and more aware that I am different to most others in this belief everyday.

**gastric** · 19/06/2013, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Your friend and her friends are sluts. Reading that article yesterday made me wonder, did Duff always feel playing football for Ireland was the ultimate, until he realised that when his son was born and subsequently was sick, that he and his family were more important. That in itself made him re-evaluate playing for Ireland and football etc. Therefore there was no decision required, for him it was about his family. I say this because anytime in the past he always only spoke about Football and he didn't know anything else and he would playing for as long as he could, so why stop playing for your country then? I've always liked Duff and like yourself his humility and the understatedness in everything he did whilst representing Ireland was a breath of fresh air, however I still think he did the wrong thing and he shouldn't have retired, somewhat selfish perhaps. Playing for your Country is the ultimate, and should always be. However I am becoming more and more aware that I am different to most others in this belief everyday.

Paul, I think having kids changes your whole perspective on life, and as they and you get older, you begin to reflect on your own mortality! I would agree with you, Duff has developed a whole new perspective on life and he probably recognises football just pays the bills at the end of the day. International football on the other hand just takes you away from your family and having got his 100 caps he probably thought enough is enough.

**Crosby87** · 19/06/2013, 11:35 AM

You should adopt 11 baby boys, POSH, train them over the years and see how many are starting for Eire in 2035. I would say 2-6. But adopt them from countries where there is a rich, successful tradition of football. Such as Uruguay.

**DeLorean** · 19/06/2013, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by gastric

International football on the other hand just takes you away from your family

That's true but there's probably a downside also.

**paul_oshea** · 19/06/2013, 12:38 PM

Ya,but he has plenty of time with them anyway, especially compared to other professions. I mean they finish about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. I just think its a cop out.

**geysir** · 19/06/2013, 3:01 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Ya,but he has plenty of time with them anyway, especially compared to other professions. I mean they finish about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. I just think its a cop out.

What's the relevance to Duff's intl. retirement apart from your dream that he retired for family related reasons?

**paul_oshea** · 19/06/2013, 3:32 PM

So you don't think he retired for family reasons? If Duff were single and had no kids do you think he would have retired?

**geysir** · 19/06/2013, 8:43 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

So you don't think he retired for family reasons? If Duff were single and had no kids do you think he would have retired?

I know he took a decision to retire and that Trap came close to making him change his mind.
As to what's the most likely reason, I haven't a clue, Duff hasn't given any indication.

Unless there are facts to say otherwise, i'd have a guess that the most likely reason is that he wants to extend his club career at the top level that bit longer, especially a player who needs rest and recuperation from niggling injuries, another year's contract with his club makes a difference to his retirement fund, whereas it doesn't make that much difference to the Irish squad as there are players like Brady coming through. Duff has nothing to answer for re his decision to retire and imo, it doesn't detract in the least from my opinion of him as an Irish international, even when compared to Dunne and Keane who carry on regardless.

**Colbert Report** · 09/11/2013, 2:08 PM

Duff left out of the squad again today for Fulham's match away to Liverpool. Is his career over? How long does he have left on his contract?

**DannyInvincible** · 09/11/2013, 2:34 PM

His contract ends next summer. He signed a new deal last February: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/fe...ffers-new-deal

**Yard of Pace** · 09/11/2013, 6:16 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Duff left out of the squad again today for Fulham's match away to Liverpool. Is his career over? How long does he have left on his contract?

He said last year he'll go back to the LOI if he can and then the Leinster Senior League and then whoever will take him.

I've said it before but he's by a mile my favourite Irish player ever. The storie sare endless. His ma used to look after his bank account and he'd just take out his few bob when he needed it. And then go back to bed.

He travelled to see us play away when he was injured like a regular fan.

Love him.

**youngirish** · 09/11/2013, 8:50 PM

One of our most naturally talented players ever. Comfortable with both feet, dribbled like the ball was stuck to them, consistently whipped in pinpoint crosses from both wings, full of fancy tricks, twists and turns and he rarely gave away possession.

In my years watching Ireland I can only think of Brady being as good technically..

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 28/12/2013, 3:46 PM

Duff started for the first time in several months midweek after recovering from injury and was dropped for this weekend's game, not even making the bench.

Fulham losing 6-0 to Hull.

He's no wing wizard anymore at his age but perhaps his defensive awareness and experience will be more appreciated after yet another result like that for Fulham.

**Charlie Darwin** · 28/12/2013, 4:37 PM

I would bet anything he was dropped from the squad because he's no longer physically able to play two games in 48 hours.

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 28/12/2013, 4:41 PM

I will admit part of my last post came out of frustration that he was copping some flak from Fulham fans for his last performance, a first start in months.

Ironic that they won that game and then lose 6-0 to Hull days later.