Damien Duff describes ‘fairytale’ attempt to bring Ireland legend back to Shelbourne

This move would have been a dream come true for Shels fans.

The ex-Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers winger has been in charge of Shelbourne since November 2021, and is on the brink of leading them to their first League of Ireland title in 18 years tonight when they travel to Derry City.

In an interview with the Irish Mirror ahead of tonight's title decider, the former Republic of Ireland star revealed the details of a 'fairytale' attempt he made to bring Wes Hoolahan back to the club he began his career with.

Hoolahan played for Shelbourne between 2001 and 2005 and dazzled during their unforgettable European run in 2004, when they were edged out of a Champions League group stage spot by Deportivo La Coruna.

He moved to Scotland to play for Livingston in 2005, and went on to play for Blackpool, Norwich and West Brom, before a spell in Australia with Newcastle Jets.

"I tried to sign Wes for the run-in last year, the last 10 or 11 games," said Duff.

The Reds boss even offered to put the 43-time capped star of Euro 2016 up in his Wicklow house. "I said to him 'come over, one day a week, two days a week, train, you can stay at mine, make an impact'," he added.

"So yeah, I did try and sign Wes because I believe in fairytales and it would have been nice to have him here.

"It all comes back to how well you look after yourself. I think there’s a year, 18 months difference, maybe a couple more, between me and him and he looked like a thoroughbred and I looked like I don’t know what."

Hoolahan was back at Tolka Park last weekend for a centenary game, where he lined up alongside Duff for the first time in over a decade.