Twenty years on from his first foray into the hearts of Irish football fans, it's still the simple things that appeal to Damien Duff and influence his thinking when seeking to recruit players in his latest role.
The Dubliner proved an integral part of Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland Under-20 squad which claimed bronze at the 1997 World Cup and, as he reminisced yesterday with his 17 team-mates at a reunion in the Gresham Hotel to mark the anniversary, there was a recognition his task of nurturing a generation of gems at Shamrock Rovers is one he's torn about.
Duff has taken his first steps into management with the club’s under-15 squad, assembling and preparing a group for the maiden national league season kicking off in August.
While a sprinkling of young teens are dazzled to see the double Premier League-winning Irish legend call to their door as part of the Hoops recruitment drive, what he sees and hears more often than not disappoints.
“You’ve half a chance of a good career if you’re a nice lad and good person but they’re hard to find,” revealed Duff.
“The way I was brought up by my mam and dad, and then with the way Brian [Kerr] and Noel [O’Reilly] operated with the Irish teams, manners were a big thing. I’m looking for players at the moment but if they don’t have all that they won’t be coming to Shamrock Rovers.
Lucky ones
“I’m a caveman when it comes to it but I think phones and all that crap are the death of football. We were the lucky ones 20 years ago because there was none of that and we were in a bubble.
“Football is mega-professional but, after each game in Malaysia, we were still able to have a few beers and a sing-song. You can have your videos, whiteboards and tactics these days but I don’t think you can ever let go the way we did it. Getting together for a song and a beer is brilliant for the team.”
Back living in Wicklow after 20 years in England and Australia, Duff has also delved into punditry work and his frankness shines through when discussing the opportunity Ireland have on Sunday to bolster their World Cup qualification ambitions against Austria.
“Playing at home against a team with the problems Austria are having, you’d be bitterly disappointed coming back on the bus without the win,” he asserted.
“Wales, after having a man sent off with 20 minutes to go, were there for the taking too in March.”
Different century and different era perhaps but the same Duffer.
