Damien Duff lauds 'perfect' Shelbourne performance in FAI Cup derby win

Shelbourne manager Damien Duff described his team's performance in getting past Bohemians and into the last four of the FAI Cup as "top-class".

Goals from Jack Moylan and Sean Boyd (2) earned the Tolka Park club a timely first win over their north Dublin rivals in five games this season and secure the prize of a first FAI Cup semi-final appearance in 10 years.

A full house of 3,600 basked in the sunshine and a dominant display from the home side and Duff conceded he couldn’t have asked for any more from his side.

"They played the perfect game," he said. "From the first minute to the last kick of the game. It was top-class from start to finish."

Shels opened the scoring in the 20th minute when John Ross Wilson fed midfielder Moylan, who worked a one-two with Smith to run into the area and rifle a stinging drive past Jon McCracken to the roof of the net.

Moylan was a menace throughout and Duff singled the 20-year-old out for special praise against his former team.

"I’m pleased for Jack because he has gripped the bat too tight all year playing Bohs because it is his ex club, he’s wanted to do it too much. Sometimes when you want something too much, it doesn’t happen."

Cup dreams will have to be quickly parked as the bread and butter of the league resumes on Thursday when Shamrock Rovers visit.

Shels occupy seventh place in the standings, one place and three points adrift of Bohs with a game in hand.

Asked whether his team will be fully ready after the high of today’s cup success, Duff said: "That’s where I worry about us a little bit.

"We are a young team and the lads will be emotionally and physically drained, but it is about getting ourselves back up again on Thursday, another Dublin derby, the league champions. We have to park