Damien Duff shares heartwarming moment with Derry City fans after leading Shelbourne to title

Damien Duff shared a heartwarming moment with Derry City fans after leading Shelbourne to the League of Ireland title on Friday night.

The Ireland football legend guided Shelbourne to their first league title in 18 years thanks to Harry Wood's 85th-minute winner at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Their 1-0 victory saw the Dublin side finish the season two points ahead of a five-in-a-row-chasing Shamrock Rovers outfit, sparking wild scenes in the away fans section at the Brandywell.

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But many Derry City fans stayed on to applaud their team's efforts this season and congratulate the new League of Ireland champions.

In a video posted on X by Irish Independent journalist Daniel McDonnell, Duff is seen walking over to the Derry City fans after the match and is warmly applauded.

Derry City were themselves in the running for the title until recent weeks when their challenge faded.

But their fans recognised the achievement of Duff and his players in breaking Rovers' stranglehold on the league title.

“To come up to the Brandywell against a great team and manager, people talk about Leicester City and Hollywood. This is Hollywood,” declared Duff after the match.

“With respect to Stuey (Byrne, former Shelbourne player) and all the great players who won titles before, this is the greatest story.”

He added: “I’m a different man to what I was as a player. The fire was always there and I wanted to speak but couldn’t because I was a shy guy.

“I’ve become a different animal and I wear my heart on my sleeve. That’s all I’ve done with Shels. People ask how have I done it but I don’t actually know, to be brutally honest.

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“I’ve grown as a manager. Two years ago for the FAI Cup final I was working 24/7 whereas last night I went out with my wife for a glass of wine.

“I guess I relaxed and the players mirror me so that helps.”

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