Having been on top of the table for the entire season, bar one weekend when Derry City, their opponents tonight, led the way on goal difference, it has come down to the last 90 minutes in the toughest league season in years.
Only a win against the Candystripes at the Ryan McBride Brandywell will guarantee Shelbourne the title. A draw on Foyleside and a win for Shamrock Rovers at home to Waterford would see Stephen Bradley’s resurgent side clinch an historic fifth successive title on goal difference.
Both games are sold out and will be shown live on RTÉ, with the drama a contrast to recent campaigns when the Hoops won with at least two games to spare.
Duff says his squad are in relaxed mood, even with so much at stake, and that he trusts his experienced players to “stand tall and puff their chests out” and get the job done.
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“I already said that it would be the pinnacle, it would wipe the floor with them [all his previous achievements],” Duff said when asked how a title win with Shels would compare to the Premier League medals he won with Chelsea.
“But it’s not me winning, it’s [about] the players and a lot more people; [it’s] not about me and I don’t want to make it about me, it’s the players. We help them out all we can, give them the detail, try to motivate and organise them, but they are going out over the white line [not me]. If we have a trophy in the Shelbourne dressing room on Friday night, it’s the players’, it’s not mine. It would be great, but it’s their achievement.”
Bradley, chasing his fifth league title with the Hoops, says he’s told his players to ignore any updates from the Brandywell and just focus on beating Waterford.
“If Shels win the game, we can’t change it. There’s nothing we can do. We are going all-out to win the game, that’s clear. Whether they are ahead, behind, whatever’s happening, it doesn’t alter what we are going to do,” he said.
Bradley, the longest-serving manager in the league, has also confirmed that he still plans to be around next season. “It’s to try and win a league first and then try and qualify for the knock-out phase in Europe,” he said.
“Hopefully we get a little holiday in there at some point for the players. The off-season could be very short, three weeks, then a quick turnaround leading to the new season. That’s my focus: try and win the league, qualify for the knockout phase [of Europe], then go away at Christmas, reflect on this season and make sure we’re better next season.”
