New rules and a reinvigorated game enticed me back - Robert Emmets boss John Duffy

Former Donegal and Aodh Ruadh footballer John Duffy has returned to football after over a decade away from the game he loved and starred at in his younger days. 

The Aodh Ruadh clubman was one of the underage standout forwards in Donegal in the late 1980s and early 1990s and played U16, minor and U21 football for Donegal before graduating to senior.

And he played with Donegal post 1992 for a number of years before injury intervened and stunted his inter-county career. 

He stepped away from the game for a number of years after falling out of love with the game. But he has returned this year in a management role with junior club Robert Emmets and is back and enjoying his football again.

“Being honest, I had fallen out of love with the game,” he told Donegal Live following Robert Emmets' second round championship win over Urris in Emmet Park, on Saturday evening. 

“My last involvement prior to this year was over ten years ago and was with Jim McGuinness in 2014 and the run to the All-Ireland final.

“I stepped away after 2014.

“I felt the game had become very sterile and was not enjoyable to watch and I had lost interest in the game. 

“And despite numerous offers to get involved over the last decade or so I stayed away until this year.  

“But when the new playing rules were introduced, I thought it might be the right time to jump back in again and get involved and now was the time. 

“And I’m delighted I did, and I’m really loving it. The new rules have really invigorated the game for both club and county. You can see it in that there are more scores, more space, and room for creativity.

“And I think the players are enjoying the game more. It is well known that Robert Emmets have had a tough couple of years, and good days have been few and far between.”

After an indifferent campaign in Division Three of the league in which they won three games, Robert Emmets would appear to have turned a corner in the championship.

Saturday night’s 1-10 to 0-8 win over Urris was their second win of the championship. 

They had also overcome Pettigo, the week before, they had seven points to spare over Pettigo as they emerged 2-12 to 0-11 winners. 

“The difference in the league and championship form and results may be down to that we have a light, fast team and they are better suited to summer football.

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“It is probably down to the fact also that they are good, but fitter than they were earlier in the year, and that is down to the commitments and hard work they are putting into training.” 

Robert Emmets are sitting in third place in Group A on four points, level on points with St Mary’s, Convoy, but behind the men from St Mary’s Park, on score difference. 

They are two points behind leaders Naomh Brid, but have a game less played than Naomh Brid and St Mary's.

And they’ll be hopeful of a third win this weekend when they face neighbours, Naomh Pádraig, Lifford.

“We still have Convoy and Lifford to play. But as far as I know, the four points should be enough for a place in the quarter-finals. 

“I’m really delighted for the players because they are a great bunch of lads and have given a huge commitment to training since I came in at the start of the year.

“And they are now reaping the rewards, and hopefully it will continue.”