Duff hails players elite mentality ahead of Galway United clash | OneFootball

The Reds return to League of Ireland Premier Division action following last Saturday’s FAI Cup clash in Derry as they make the trip to Eamonn Deacy Park to face Galway United. (Live on LOITV // 7:45pm KO)

Damien Duff’s side face a formidable Galway team enjoying a great season back in the Premier Division. Their most recent result was a 2-1 loss to Shamrock Rovers earlier this week.

Duff delivered a squad update after training finished on Thursday, telling ShelbourneFC.ie: ‘JJ Lunney is out with a calf injury. It’s can be a tricky muscle to heal due to the slow blood flow, which can make recovery longer.

“The injury itself isn’t as bad as initially feared, and some stuff saying he’s out for the season is wrong. He’ll be back for the run-in, but we’re taking care not to rush his return. Sam Bone is also sidelined with a calf injury.”

The Reds return to action having exited the FAI Cup last weekend in Derry City, Duff knows they have little time to dwell on that disappointment: “It’s been a great week of training, with the lads in great spirits. They have an elite mentality, and they don’t dwell on setbacks because they know time is not worth wasted sulking.

“While it was disappointing to go out of the FAI Cup, it’s left us with a single focus, which can only be a good thing. All our energy is directed towards that one goal, with no distractions. We’re in an unbelievable position right now, and at the start of the season, this is exactly where fans, players, and staff wanted to be with seven games remaining.”

The Reds have played Galway four times in all competitions this season, winning three times and losing once on their last visit to Eamonn Deacy Park, Duff knows they’ll need to be a lot better tomorrow night:

“That game still stings collectively and individually. A game that we dominated possession wise but lacked an edge and an intent. John has done an incredible job and he is a legend of the game but we need to concentrate on us and do what we do best.”

The unfolding situation at Dundalk dominated the discourse this week in Irish football. The worse case scenario appears to have been avoided, the loss of a historic club would’ve had a major impact across the game and a direct impact on the Reds standings in the league, Duff is glad a resolution is in sight:

“I always had faith that it would get sorted. Dundalk is too big a club to go under and it is something that could not happen under the FAI’s watch either.  The league is in such a great place that it could not afford a major, major setback like that. So firstly for the league it is great and also from a Shelbourne point of view.”

The Reds will have a capacity crowd in the away end tomorrow night, having not experienced the same on their last visit West. Duff knows they have a part to play:

“It goes without saying the Shels fans who’ve travelled have been extraordinary all season and we would be lost without them.”