Caoimhín Kelleher has praised the impact Damien Duff has made since joining Keith Andrews’ coaching staff at Brentford.
Duff returned to the Premier League during the summer when he was appointed as a first-team assistant coach, having spent the previous year out of the game following his departure from Shelbourne.
The former Ireland winger arrived with a strong coaching pedigree, having led Shels to their first League of Ireland title in 18 years in 2024. He had previously worked with Shamrock Rovers, Celtic and the Republic of Ireland.
Duff’s first competitive game as part of the Brentford setup could hardly have gone better. The Bees opened their Premier League campaign with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Tottenham at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Caoimhín Kelleher Gives Glowing Verdict On Damien Duff’s Brentford Impact
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Speaking afterwards, Kelleher said Damien Duff had brought the same intensity and enthusiasm that he remembered from their brief time together in the Irish setup.
> He’s been brilliant. I knew Damien before. Full of energy, wants to get better. He comes in, works hard every day, and he wants to push players. He’s exactly what we need, so he’s been really good.
When asked if Duff had changed since their paths previously crossed with Ireland, Kelleher said that the 100-cap international remained every bit as energetic on the training ground.
> No, I think he’s been quite similar to what we had in Ireland. Like I said, full of energy. He wants to work out on the training pitch every day and loves his sessions. It’s more of the same, really.
Duff joined Brentford in June, with Andrews saying at the time that his former international teammate would bring “experience, presence and a real level of detail” to the club’s coaching department.
Andrews was one of the Premier League’s surprise managerial successes during his first season in charge. Brentford finished ninth in 2025/26, missing out on European football by only one point, before rewarding the former Ireland midfielder with a new long-term contract.
Kelleher believes that first campaign established a platform from which the team can progress.
> We’re very positive here. I think we had a good season last year, Keith’s first season, obviously getting to know each other and getting to know each other as a group, and finding out things about ourselves.
> I think this season we have a good springboard to push on even more. If we can continue in this form, then we’ll see where that takes us, but hopefully it’s a really good trajectory.
Their opening performance certainly supported that optimism. Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt scored during a dominant first half before Michael Kayode added the third shortly after the restart.
Brentford could even afford for Igor Thiago to strike a penalty against the post.
Kelleher was called upon twice during the second half, making two good saves from Irish eligible Mikey Moore to protect his clean sheet. Ireland captain Nathan Collins also played the full game.
With Andrews in charge, Duff assisting him, Kelleher in goal and Collins captaining the side, the considerable Irish influence at Brentford has given Irish fans another compelling reason to follow the club this season.
### SEE ALSO: [Jamie Redknapp Issued Highest Compliment To Keith Andrews After Brentford Heroics](https://www.balls.ie/football/jamie-redknapp-issued-highest-compliment-to-keith-andrews-after-brentford-heroics-661927)
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