Damien Duff: 'The leading light of Irish football is not the national team but the league itself'

If Damien Duff is to be believed, the League of Ireland is the only show in town.

The wing-wizard won 100 caps, playing at the World Cup and Euros, but from his current perspective as Shelbourne manager, domestic bliss is where it’s at.

International friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland generated crowds of over 30,000 apiece at Lansdowne Road, according to FAI figures anyway, but a turnout approaching 10,000 is expected at Tallaght on Friday night.

The completion of four stands at the venue facilitates that capacity, ensuring the meeting of Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians attracts the biggest attendance for a league fixture since the heady days of the early 1990s at the RDS and Turner’s Cross.

“It is brilliant to be back in action this weekend,” said Duff after the international break.

“The last two weeks has highlighted that the leading light of Irish football is not the national team but the league itself. It is bigger, better, more exciting and more important. Every true Irish football fan has been waiting for this Friday - nothing else.” 

Tolka Park will also be packed. Duff’s Shelbourne team sit pretty at the summit, five points clear of Derry City, whom they welcome on Easter Monday. The first part of the home double-header is hosting a Dundalk team rooted to the bottom of the table.

Stephen O’Donnell is under pressure after a five-game winless start to the season but the challenges run deeper than on the pitch as the club transition following the preseason takeover by Brian Ainscough.

“Stevie will be disappointed but Dundalk have quality everywhere, massive players in their team, a brilliant manager and staff who’ve won more in the league than I have,” added Duff.

“Results can be a bit misleading –