‘He made a real impact’ – Damien Duff hails ‘fitter’ Shane Farrell as Shels turn focus to Derry’s ‘footballing gods’

The 23-year-old impressed as a second-half substitute at Oriel Park as he returned to action for the first time since his sending off against Shamrock Rovers just under a fortnight ago.

Duff was critical of the Finglas native after his two quick bookings against the champions, as he subsequently missed last week’s victory against St Pat’s through an automatic suspension, but speaking after their scoreless draw in Louth the Reds boss says Farrell made a real impact for his side having gone close to creating a late winner.

“I thought he looked a lot fitter than he has. I thought he made a real impact. He was brought on because of the quality he can bring offensively. It wasn't just a present just because he’s back,” said Duff, with Shels sitting two points clear at the top ahead of Monday’s trip to Derry City.

“He deserved to go on, I wanted to put him on. He has reacted fine. It’s all forgotten about.

“He’s smiling, training really well. We have got the reaction that we wanted and he’s a big part of the squad going forward. It's his club more than my club.

“He’s one of our own, he’s come through the academy. There are no issues. He went on, did well, but he went on because he deserved to go on.”

Duff said in his pre-match notes that the trip to Oriel would be his side’s most difficult game in months and they found chances hard to come against bottom-placed Dundalk, with substitute Seán Boyd going closest near the end courtesy of an excellent Farrell cross.

“They are the moments that decide games and that's the bit we lacked. I thought it was a very controlled performance, professional, but we just lacked that cutting edge,” said Duff.

“A lot of moments, but just huffing and puffing, so (it’s) disappointing from that point of view. But I think when you look at the results (last night) in the league, every game is difficult home and away, so we’ll take the point and move into Monday.

“There are no easy games home or away. If you are in any way off you will not win the game. The league is just so competitive, top, bottom, whoever you are playing, and I think that's very evident.

“You just have to look at some of the names in the Dundalk team. Daryl Horgan is an ex-Ireland international. (Robbie) Benson has won the lot here, (John) Mountney is a Dundalk legend, there is a lot of quality in the team, Andy Boyle, Archie Davies.

“I couldn't give a damn where they are in the league, I never underestimated the task ahead of us. There are a lot of brilliant players in that team.”

Defender Seán Gannon missed out on the matchday squad, with Duff hopeful the 10-time Premier Division winner will be passed fit for Monday’s big clash against Derry City.

“He just had a slight issue during the week,” Duff said.

“We hummed and hawed about starting him, hummed and hawed about putting him on the bench, we just decided to go safe on it.

“The plan, unless there is any reaction, is to train on Sunday and be available to play on Monday. It’s very, very short-term so hopefully he’ll be good to go against Derry.”

Each of the last four meetings between Shels and Derry have ended all square and with three points separating the sides going into Monday’s live TV clash, Duff is expecting another difficult test against Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men.

“I call them footballing gods in this country, they have quite a few of them in their team,” Duff added.

“It’s a very dangerous game, a very difficult game, on another difficult surface. But we have got a lot of good memories up there in recent years. We obviously believe we can beat anyone home or away.

“They are a brilliant team and that's why they have challenged in the last couple of years. Ruaidhrí took them over, a great guy, a top manager and a top coach, took over a semi-struggling team and has turned them into title-contenders.

“It’s a difficult game but one we absolutely can’t wait for. We haven't had top of the table clashes involving Shelbourne in a long bloody time, so you have to be excited by it.”