Bertie Ahern was still Taoiseach the last time Shels’ won the League of Ireland Premier Division, but 18 years later it seems the boom is truly back at Tolka Park.
That’s as a week that started with an injury-time winner against Stephen Kenny‘s St Patrick’s Athletic, ended with a 2-0 away win versus four-in-a-row champions Shamrock Rovers.
Results that mean Shelbourne are now six points clear of Derry City at the top of the table while Shamrock Rovers are a staggering nine points adrift in third.
Since taking the reins in 2022, Duff solidified Shelbourne’s Premier Division status, led them to an FAI Cup Final and slowly improved the team with passing time.
Nobody defends like Shelbourne, nobody runs like Shelbourne, nobody fights like Shelbourne. Every player knows not just their job, but their responsibility.
That’s been the case since quite early on in Duff’s tenure, but how he’s branched his side out from being awkward opponents to genuine title …