John Fallon: Robbie Keane can't complain if he's feeling underappreciated at home
THEY were the darlings of a golden generation, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff; the pair coming of age on a global stage at the 2002 World Cup.
Only 16 months separated them in age and they wore the look of two chirpy, childhood friends when emerging through Brian Kerr's youth teams to flourish as the attacking threat of Ireland's seniors under Mick Mccarthy.
Premier League stardom beckoned for both too.
Duff was soon a two-time title winner under José Mourinho at Chelsea and Keane joined the coveted coterie of players to reach the 100-goal mark in the top-flight's modern guise. He remains 17th in the overall standings on 127.
Nowadays they're both within the coaching sphere and symbiotically wedded by Uefa's latest club competition incarnation, the Europa Conference League.
In July, Duff wants to expose Shelbourne to their first European action since 2007 when they participate in the qualifying round, their reward for finishing fourth in the table against the odds.
Keane, the junior of the duo, already has a 13-game headstart on Duff and tomorrow's 14th will be watched closely by those curious about where this 43-year-old ranks in the context of rookie bosses across the continent.
Reaching the last-16 of a European competition for the first time in the history of Maccabi Tel-Aviv – augmenting his surge to the top of the Ligat ha'Al – had ensured the Irishman wouldn't be part of the managerial volatility that has engulfed the club since 2020.
Keane is the sixth boss since that Covid-era but will cement his reputation as their best if he can avail of a three-goal cushion to guide them past Olympiacos.
He brought his side to Athens last week and caused the upset of the night's series by claiming a 4-1
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