‘I get he’s a fan’s favourite … but he hasn’t deserved to play’ – Damien Duff expands on Shane Farrell criticism
Shane Farrell of Shelbourne saw red against Shamrock Rovers
Damien Duff has elaborated on his criticism of Shane Farrell after his red card against Shamrock Rovers, explaining that the fan favourite has been restricted to a cameo role because of the manager’s dissatisfaction with his approach to training.
Farrell came off the bench in the scoreless draw with the Hoops but only lasted for ten minutes after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession, with Duff having no complaints with the referee’s decision.
Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 23rd April
He didn’t hold back in his post-match TV interview, declaring that Farrell hasn’t played with intensity "in a long long time" before adding that "how you live your life off the pitch ends up biting you back on the pitch".
The Shelbourne boss was later asked to expand on his comments and remained firm in his view that Farrell had let his team-mates down.
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“Regarding Shane, here, I am always honest privately and in public. He knows he has let everyone down. I used to laugh about his diet, in year one, the chicken fillet rolls, whatever. That time has passed now.
“How you live your life off the pitch, how you train usually gets shown up on a match night and it did tonight,” said Duff, who was then asked if this was the reason Farrell didn’t play regularly, given that he has delivered flashes of brilliance under his watch.
“I get he’s a fan’s favourite and what have you, but he hasn’t deserved to play. Not one bit. Flashes. I could go on and give you a flash. I’m 45 and I can’t walk. It’s a hundred-minute game nowadays, so flashes aren’t good enough for me.
“I’ve looked back at them, they are two awful tackles. You don’t live right, you don’t train right, you’re a yard off and you’re late in a tackle. It’s not rocket science to me. As I told him up there he won’t ruin the players’ night. That’s the last question on that, sorry to be rude, but I thought it was an incredible point.”
