‘Big people texted me laughing‘ – Damien Duff slams ‘mortifying' viral photo as ‘embarrassing for League of Ireland'
A photo taken by Sportsfile showed the Shels boss - who was serving a one-match touchline ban -
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A viral photo emerged of Damien Duff stood on a grass bank during Shelbourne's recent game against Bohemians
Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
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Duff slammed the photo as embarrassing for the League of Ireland
Credit: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
The photo, as well as footage aired on Virgin Media of his unusual vantage point, went viral on social media.
And while not embarrassed for himself, the former Republic of Ireland international said it was not a good look for the league.
Duff returned to his usual seat in the dug-out for the 0-0 draw with Drogheda United on Monday.
And speaking afterwards, he said: 'I'm not on the socials, obviously, but I'm not stupid, I'd imagine it got a lot of airtime, probably a lot of laughter.
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"I'm sure an awful lot of people thought I was embarrassed, I wasn't one bit embarrassed.
"I find it a deeply embarrassing photo for the league,' Duff said after the scoreless draw with Drogheda United.
'I fought as much as anyone for the league for four years, so you could say I'm mortified.
"'Oh, Damien is mortified for himself' - I'm not one bit mortified for myself, I'm mortified for the league.
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'We call it the greatest league in the world, I call it the greatest league in the world.
"But a picture has gone to a lot of countries around the world, some big people in the football world have texted me, laughing.
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'I think for too long now people have laughed at Irish football and everything about us.
"Let's not all fool ourselves and get carried away, the league is in a great place, a wonderful place.
'Yeah, great, the fans coming like you've never seen before, wonderful tight games, the most watched game, I think, in TV history.
"Last year up in the Brandywell, the most exciting league finish in years upon years, but let's not get carried away, it was an embarrassing photo for the league, not me.'
Monday's draw at Tolka Park means the champions have won just twice in six games and sit sixth in the Premier Division.
Nine points ahead of them at the summit are Shamrock Rovers, who extended their lead to five points on Derry City, who have a game in hand, with a
Graham Burke scored twice - and assisted Michael Noonan - to become the club highest scorer since moving to Tallaght Stadium in 2009.
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