Duff: 24/7 nature of management has 'blown me away'

Damien Duff has said the one element of management that has shocked him in his early days in the Shelbourne job is the non-stop work ethic it demands.

When asked by RTÉ Soccer Correspondent Tony O'Donoghue what the goal is for the season ahead, Duff simply replied: "To do well".

To those who have watch Duff in his role as a tv pundit, short and succinct observations have been his stock and trade.

Pressed to expand more on the "to do well" response at the launch of the new SSE Airtricity Premier Division season, Duff set the bar high as to what he wants from Shels on their return to the top flight.

"I think the game should be played a certain way, that is playing a good brand of football and dominating games. That's probably unheard of for a First Division team coming up. Myself, the team and the all the staff know what we're aiming for.

"It's a massive, massive club and it's yo-yoed for too long. We now want to stabilise and stay in the Premier Division."

We're just over a week out from the start of the campaign, with Shels' opening game against St Patrick's Athletic set for live coverage on RTÉ2.

Duff is happy enough with the way pre-season has gone, with much ins and outs at Tolka Park, but admits the demands of the job management have taken him aback.

"All the lads are fit, just couple of niggles at the moment, especially with the way we train.

"We've built a brand new squad overnight - 15 out and 15 in more or less. Call it risky, but it's what I thought the club needed. It's gone really well but we'll only really find out from next Friday and beyond.

"It's been fine so far. No coaching badges or anything you learn off the FAI will ever teach you or prepare you. It's 24/7. It's literally non-stop and that side of it is the one