Retirement can be a lonely environment for ex-professional footballers looking for the best way to spend their now infinite amount of spare time.
Damien Duff called time on his illustrious career in December 2015 shortly after returning to Ireland with Shamrock Rovers.
Joe Molloy was joined by Marie Crowe and Brendan O’Brien on the Sunday Paper Review to discuss a number of pressing issues that are taking up the papers, including Duff’s latest football venture – coaching Shamrock Rovers’ U-15s.
Duff collected a host of medals with Chelsea and Blackburn during his time in the Premier League, but the man with 100 international caps is taking pleasure in a far simpler world than the one had become accustomed to.
OTB’s Joe Molloy and the Sunday Paper Review panel highlighted Paul Rowan’s piece in The Sunday Times as a particularly special insight into Duff’s route into his first coaching job.
Citing Duff’s passion for his current role, Molloy read: “If I didn’t have kids I would be there now in Melbourne – the lifestyle was great.
“I hate that phrase: ‘if I didn’t have kids,’ it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
“I have two kids at home and 17 kids here. I literally love my U-15s.”
Molloy also shared his own thoughts about Duff coaching a selection of Ireland’s most talented youngsters.
“There is just something magical about the thought of Damien Duff – one of our greatest ever players; multi millionaire; played for the biggest managers – getting up at four in the morning to coach these kids, just because he likes it.”
Crowe also shared her enthusiasm for Duff’s role at Ireland’s most decorated football club.
“Imagine how inspiring that is for those kids as well. You’re never going to say to your Mam or Dad: ‘I don’t feel like going this morning’. You’re always going to be at training no matter what.”
Listen to the full Sunday Paper Review podcast below:
Written by James Hopper
