Damien Duff brings down curtain on his playing career

Former Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff has brought down the curtain on his illustrious playing career after 20 years.

The 36-year-old from Ballyboden played his final season with Shamrock Rovers in the Airtricity League, making five starts and coming on from the bench on five occasions.

Duff signed for Blackburn Rovers from Leicester Celtic as a trainee in 1996 and went on to play for Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham before a stint at Melbourne City in Australia.

Duff was the standout player on Brian Kerr’s Republic of Ireland under-17 side that finished third in the 1997 World Youth Championships in Malaysia and went on to win 100 senior caps for his country, scoring eight goals .

Announcing his decision, Duff said: “After much deliberation, I have today decided to bring my professional football career to an end.

“My heart wants me to continue playing but my body has finally won the battle and told me to stop.

“I’ve lived every young boy’s dream and I know I am a very lucky man.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped me along the journey from schoolboy football in Dublin and moving to England as a teenager right up to today.

“I am extremely proud to have won 100 caps for my country – it was always my greatest pleasure to represent Ireland and I have many magical memories from my international career.

“While I have finished playing, I am progressing with my coaching badges and will stay involved in the game for many years to come.

"I am grateful to Pat Fenlon and Shamrock Rovers FC for giving me the opportunity to finish my career back home – they have some exciting plans for the club for the future and I wish them well. I had hoped to play for one more year but it was not to be.

“Thank you to all the many fans for your support over the years.

“I would like to especially thank my wife Elaine, my children, my parents Gerard and Mary and my family for being, and continuing to be, my biggest supporters.”