When Ruaidhri Higgins met Damien Duff for the first time, he shoved a pen and paper in his face and asked for his autograph.
It wasn’t fanboy stuff in the last few years, having become managers at similar stages following their time together on Stephen Kenny’s Ireland staff. Rather, it was a chance meeting as teenagers.
It was 1997 and Higgins had travelled over to Blackburn Rovers from Derry for a trial as he looked to make his way in the game, before eventually joining Coventry City. That season, Duff, who is five years older, established himself as a Premier League regular at Ewood Park.
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This Sunday, the two men go head-to-head in the FAI Cup final as the respective gaffers of Derry City and Shelbourne.
Candystripes boss Higgins said: “I worked with Damien with Ireland, but didn’t know him at all before that.
“I actually got his autograph at 13 when I was on trial at Blackburn Rovers. He obviously didn’t remember when I first met him, but I remember it.
“Blackburn were trying to sign me at the time and I asked to meet Damien. They walked me down the corridor and I had the pen and paper.
“He was only 18 but he was flying at the time. I think they won 5-0 that day at Ewood Park.
“He asked me where I was from and stuff. He probably didn't give a s***e! Just small talk and I got his autograph and off I went.”
