Peeking behind the curtain of a Damien Duff pre-season

Damien Duff is training his Shelbourne side as a Band of Brothers even if his own one was absent for this year’s military pre-season boot camp.

Since the Ireland centurion arrived at Tolka Park for his first senior managerial post two years, there’s been the annual rite of passage for his players at Gormanston Army Barracks under the tutelage of Captain Gerry Duff.

Just because his brother was abroad in this designated week for the exercise didn’t spare the Reds squad the gruelling drills.

Portmarnock Beach replaced Gormanston and Duff’s coach David McAllister stood in for Gerry. Sand surrounded them but there was no sun or beach balls in the chilly January temperatures.

“We didn't know anything about an army day or David McAllister being dressed up in army gear,” Barrett, Shels’ strapping centre-back revealed.

“We were told to bring spare shoes and a towel but got out of the car and were welcomed into the unknown.

“First thing was running from Malahide, past Gannon Park, to Portmarnock beach. Then it was gruesome, crawling hundreds of yards down the beach in wet sand, over ice, lying in freezing cold water. You're grappling and wrestling for medicine balls.

“He (Duff) had a pole and was slapping me on the back, saying 'Come on, Beau Barrett. Beau Barrett is a better crawler than ye'.” 

My young fellah (Beau) is ten months.

“It's a beautiful area of the world but I tell you it wasn't so beautiful on Monday.

“That was tough but we do it every year and we'll continue to do it because it's great for team bonding.” 

All those ingredients were necessary last year as Shels dug deep to finish fourth in the table and secure European qualification for the first time in 17 years.

Their finish was even more admirable given