Shelbourne boss Damien Duff channelled his former manager Jose Mourinho in the aftermath of defeat to Shamrock Rovers as he turned focus to "the biggest game in over a decade" for the Tolka Park outfit.
Shels have improved over the course of the season, the first for Duff in senior management, and have fared particularly well in recent weeks, booking a place in the FAI Cup semi-finals and securing their safety with ease.
Yesterday they looked set to end a year-long unbeaten run for the champions in Dublin 24, only for two late goals to turn the game on its head.
Duff was unhappy that a free-out was not awarded for the Reds prior to a corner being given for the Rory Gaffney winner, which was scored in the 95th minute of the game despite a minimum of four minutes being added.
"If I was to air my views about officials and stuff that goes on in this league, I wouldn't be on the touchline next week."
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 9, 2022
Damien Duff unhappy at why the game went over four minutes of added-time and also talks of his new love for the League of Ireland as a "blow-in" #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/Z1jlBB1Pxn
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Duff refused to offer opinions on the officiating, only to describe the time-keeping as "absolutely incredible", fearful of a touchline ban for their FAI Cup semi-final on Sunday in Waterford.
Duff served under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea where he infamously said he "prefers not to speak because if I speak I am in trouble".
The Shels boss said: "The frustration isn't with the players, it's the result, it's four minutes added on time that ends up 96 and a half minutes with the game still going on. That's absolutely incredible.
"I don't think it's a corner, I think it's a free-kick at the back post. But listen if I was to air my views about officials and blah, blah and stuff that goes on in this league, I wouldn't be on the touchline next week.
"So, I am very proud to manage Shelbourne Football Club and I want to be on the touchline next week. I can't wait. I'm looking forward to it already. That's why (I don't speak about it)."
The former Celtic coach believes he has learned how to be a more measured presence on the sideline as he also discussed being one of the most Republic of Ireland internationals ever coming into a league which he has no real affiliation to.
"I'd like to say it's not losing the head during the game which maybe you could have pointed at me earlier on in the season. It's coaching within the game. It's true to who I am.
"I might be a blow-in here and only here nine or 10 months when people have supported this league for probably 30, 40, 50 years.
"This is my league now as much as them. I've loved every minute and as I said I'm proud to manage Shelbourne. It's a big disappointment here today but hopefully it's a different story next Sunday.
It's https://t.co/X9zf947L5m FAI Men's Cup Semi-Final week 😍
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 10, 2022
Two massive games live on @RTE2 with a Cup Final spot at the Aviva Stadium at stake 🏆@ExtraIRL | #FAICup pic.twitter.com/ONrL1G52Oe
"Did we deserve to get something out of the game today? Absolutely. When it is so close to the end of the game and you're ahead, it's two points lost and worse when you end up losing. It's another moral victory, another hard luck story.
"I'm telling the guys in there that I'm sick of them and they have to stop. Again, I couldn't be prouder of them.
"I'll never change. We'll keep training them, coaching them, believing and giving them detail week-in and week out. If there are ever hard luck stories here, and there has been, the lads dust themselves down.
"They've been excellent all year that they'll be back in Monday morning and we'll start addressing the biggest game Shelbourne Football Club have had in over a decade.
"The performance usually gets results. When we're performing like the game today, the results will come."
