Damien Duff was spreading the message about the League of Ireland before a ball was even kicked on the 2024 opening night on Friday.
As a player, Duff was a national hero who starred for Ireland at the 2002 World Cup, but as head coach of Shelbourne, he has a knack for winding opposition supporters up with his quotes.
His message on Friday night was one that every club can get behind though, as he waxed lyrical about the league to LOITV, ahead of his side's 1-1 draw with Waterford.
"It's the greatest league in the world," shrugged Duffer, as it was put to him that there is a buzz around the league these days.
After the interviewer responded with a chuckle and the line "I wouldn't go that far," Duff rammed home the message again.
"I would go that far. It means more to me than anything. I've travelled the world, I've played in quite a few leagues in the world and I've coached over in Scotland. This is the greatest league in the world and the sooner the better we get people jumping on board and on the bandwagon and actually helping the league, it'll be even greater than it is now."
q. Damien, there seems to be a huge buzz around the League of Ireland at the moment, don't they?
a. Well, it's the greatest league in the world
q. I don't think I'd go that far....(laughing)
a. I would go that far.pic.twitter.com/E2Q6dOtxBR— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 16, 2024
Damien Duff's passion on full display
While he wasn't exactly asked to elaborate, Duff took it upon himself to drive home how much the league means to him.
Duff saw it all throughout his playing career, from scoring at the 2002 World Cup for Ireland, to playing in big Champions League nights, to winning two Premier League titles with Chelsea. Clearly though, none of that compares to the sights and sounds of Friday nights in the League of Ireland.
Since taking up his role at Shelbourne ahead of the 2022 season, Duff's passion has never been far from the surface, be that in celebrating a win a Tolka Park or in his LOITV interviews. Whatever your colours, there's no denying that his addition has been a positive one for the league.
Duff's love for the LOI is shared by thousands around the country, and that was evident in the attendance figures on the opening night on Friday. A total of 23,824 went to a game across the five top flight fixtures, a number which was higher than any round in 2023. Taking the four First Division games into account, that number rises to 32,871.
Some 23,824 at the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixtures this evening.
More than any round last season and a total of 32,871 including the four MFD games.
What a night 😍#LOI24 pic.twitter.com/OuJ0bR2mJf— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 16, 2024
League of Ireland opening night
Shelbourne fans will have been disappointed to come away from newly-promoted Waterford with a 1-1 draw, while champions Shamrock Rovers shared the same scoreline with Dundalk at Tallaght Stadium.
A late James Clarke header rescued a 2-2 draw for Bohemians at Dalymount Park, while Derry City and St. Patrick's Athletic sit top of the table after narrow victories against Drogheda United and Galway United respectively.
In the First Division, Athlone Town were 3-0 winners of Wexford, while Treaty United beat Cobh Ramblers at home. A Jack Doherty brace for Cork City saw off Kerry in the first-ever Munster derby between the two sides, while UCD came away from Bray Wanderers with a 2-1 victory.
Longford Town host Finn Harps on Saturday night to wrap up an entertaining opening weekend across the two leagues.
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