In December, Damien Duff announced his retirement from professional football.
Despite the willingness of his mind and heart, his body was no longer capable of sustaining a career in the pro game.
That he had returned to the League of Ireland to see out the last months of his career - donating all of Shamrock Rovers wages to charity - said much for his love of the game.
Even in retirement, Duff's zeal for football is still evident.
In an interview with Chelsea's website, the 37-year-old told of recently turning up at a Dublin astropark for a kickabout - on his own.
Last week I felt a bit of a weirdo and booked the local astropark, bored one morning, and had a kickabout on my own. Still trying to improve my right foot, I don’t know what for, I’m retired, but pure love for the game.
That desire to continually get better is what won him a professional contract in the first place.
It was repetition. I got to Blackburn Rovers, who were league champions when I was 16, not because of coaching but because of kicking a ball on the street against the wall, not even with people. Every day, one hour, two hours, repetition, dribbling the ball around the streets. It sounds boring but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I just love kicking footballs, as far back as I could remember.
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
