CASH KING BUT DUFF’S A FIGHTER
DAMIEN DUFF knows money talks after revealing his budget would have been quadrupled had investors latched onto Shelbourne.
But while happy with the players he has brought in, the Reds boss (above yesterday) says he was forced to ‘tap out’ of negotiations with other key targets as soon as wages were discussed.
Mooted investment from Southampton’s owners Sport Republic first surfaced going into their FAI Cup final showdown with Derry
City in November.
But it failed to materialise and the
Reds were then swiftly linked with an alternative source of financial support through an American businessman.
A week out from the season, no deals have been announced and Duff has had to operate within his means as rivals splash the cash.
So far he has brought in seven players in Paddy Barrett, Matty Smith, Evan Caffrey, Andrew Quinn, Kyle Robinson, Tyreke Wilson (inset) and Conor Kearns.
And last night, midfielder Kian Leavy - an Irish underage international - was snapped from Reading up on loan until June.
Brendan Clarke, Dan Carr, Daniel Hawkins, Aaron O’driscoll, Josh Giurgi, Kyle O’connor, Jamal Ibrahim, Francis Campbell and Stephan Negru have all left.
Duff said yesterday: “If the investment came in I probably would have been able to quadruple my budget.
“It didn’t so I’ve no issue. I’m really happy with the squad I have. I think the club is in talks with many people to get to the next level. It’s not rocket science – you look at Derry, you look at Pat’s, you look at Rovers, any big player becomes available they are in straight away.
“Have I gone and chatted to these players? Yeah. Did they want to come to us? Yeah. But when money is spoken, I tap out.”
While Duff appreciates that Shels chiefs are working to unearth investors, he insists he is staying out of it. I’m a dreamer at the end of the day,” said the Ireland legend, a week out from Shels’ first game of the season against Drogheda United.
“One bit I stand over is that of the 10 teams last year, the biggest improvement over 36 league games and four or five cup games, without a doubt was us.
“We’ve a squad of players who have worked with me over the year and they’ve improved no end and that’s what I’ll rely on for our success – not paying a lot of money.” And Duff added: “On paper, budget wise, do we have a right to be talking about Europe? No. Did we have a right to be talking about cup finals? No.
“But we’ve spoken about Europe and Cup finals because there’s no point (competing in a season) otherwise.”
Meanwhile, Duff insists Shels’ horror show in the FAI Cup final won’t hold them back as they prepare to meet 2023 head on.
He led the Reds to the Aviva in his first season as a manager but they got stage fright and a rampant Derry wiped the floor with them in a 4-0 demolition job.
Duff said: “I said it down at the Aviva, it’s a wake up call – the levels they have to get to.”