1. Damien Anthony Duff was born on 2 March 1979 and is an Irish professional football manager and former player.
40 Facts About Damien Duff
1. 2.
Damien Duff is currently the manager of League of Ireland club Shelbourne.
3.
Damien Duff ended his career with brief spells in the A-League with Melbourne City and the League of Ireland with Shamrock Rovers before retiring in December 2015.
4.
Damien Duff played at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and captained the country at UEFA Euro 2012.
5.
Damien Duff joined Blackburn Rovers as a trainee in 1996 after playing for Leicester Celtic, Lourdes Celtic and St Kevin's Boys as a schoolboy in Dublin.
6.
Damien Duff scored the third Chelsea goal and was named as Man of the match.
7.
Damien Duff missed the Champions League semi-finals as Chelsea lost to AS Monaco but was instrumental in securing for Chelsea second place in the Premier League, the club's highest league finish for 49 years as well as being part of the Champions League run, but the season ultimately ended trophyless and with the sacking of manager Claudio Ranieri.
8.
Damien Duff eventually got into the side after four games and, when Robben returned to the side, Damien Duff's versatility saw him move to the right wing and form a wing partnership with Robben.
9.
Damien Duff scored three goals in 28 league appearances in the following season as the club retained their Premier League title.
10.
Damien Duff made his competitive debut in a UEFA Cup second round qualifying first leg match against Latvian side Ventspils on 10 August 2006.
11.
Damien Duff confirmed his intention to stay at the relegated club and help them back into the Premier League.
12.
On 19 August 2011, Damien Duff signed a one-year extension to his current deal.
13.
On 22 February 2013, Damien Duff signed a new contract with Fulham, keeping him at the club until summer 2014.
14.
In June 2014, Damien Duff joined Australian A-League club Melbourne City as a free transfer in a one-year deal.
15.
Damien Duff made his debut against Sydney FC on match day one, assisting David Villa for his first goal in the A-League.
16.
In March 2015, Damien Duff confirmed that he would leave Melbourne City to return to his homeland, with the intention of finishing his career in the League of Ireland.
17.
On 14 July 2015, Damien Duff signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Shamrock Rovers, and revealed he would be donating his wages to charity.
18.
Damien Duff played for the Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team in the 1997 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship finals in Iceland, the 1997 and 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.
19.
Damien Duff made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland in 1998 against the Czech Republic.
20.
Damien Duff won 100 caps, making him the fifth most capped player in Irish history.
21.
Damien Duff started a total of 82 times for the Republic of Ireland senior squad, scoring eight goals.
22.
Damien Duff played every game for Republic of Ireland at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and was voted the team's player of the tournament.
23.
Damien Duff was named as the FAI Senior International Player of the Year in 2002.
24.
Damien Duff was ever present for the Republic of Ireland in their qualifying campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but yet again, they failed to qualify.
25.
Damien Duff became a key member of the squad proving assists for many of the goals.
26.
Damien Duff was named in Trapattoni's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2012 and was given the number 11 jersey.
27.
Damien Duff announced his retirement from international football on 24 August 2012.
28.
On 31 July 2016, Damien Duff joined the Shamrock Rovers first-team coaching staff until the end of the season, with the intention that he would then take control of the under-15 group he previously managed, then competing in the League of Ireland U17 Division.
29.
Damien Duff was appointed to a reserve team coaching position with Celtic in January 2019.
30.
When Neil Lennon became interim manager at Celtic in February 2019, Damien Duff was promoted to first team coach, with John Kennedy promoted to assistant manager.
31.
On 5 April 2020, Damien Duff was announced as the assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland senior team to Stephen Kenny, who replaced Mick McCarthy.
32.
On 24 June 2020 it was announced that in conjunction with his role as assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland senior team, Damien Duff would become head coach of the under 17 team at League of Ireland club Shelbourne.
33.
On 8 January 2021, Damien Duff stepped down as Kenny's assistant.
34.
On 3 November 2021, Damien Duff was appointed as the first team manager of League of Ireland Premier Division club, Shelbourne.
35.
Damien Duff led Shels to a FAI Cup Final in his first season.
36.
Damien Duff described the title win as "Hollywood" and said it was the "pinnacle of his career".
37.
Damien Duff married Elaine in June 2010 at Babington House near Frome in Somerset.
38.
Damien Duff is a rugby fan, and is personally acquainted with some of Ireland's international rugby players.
39.
Damien Duff was referenced in the song Summertime Shootout by AJ Tracey from his album Flu Game.
40.
Damien Duff was part of RTE Sport's coverage of UEFA Euro 2016, UEFA Euro 2020 and FIFA World Cup 2022.