Wexford defender admits Shelbourne boss Damien Duff's tough love made him a better player
Defender was tutored on art of defending by Damien Duff before his loan move to Wexford FC.
Lewis Temple says he needed Damien Duff’s tough love to become a better player.
The youngster has been farmed out by Duff to Wexford FC but even though he has missed out on being a hanger on in a title challenge - he can still have a 2024 to remember. And that is because Wexford have somehow crept into the FAI Cup semis, where they will face Drogheda this afternoon for a place in the decider.
Undaunted by the challenge, Temple credits Duff for delivering a hat-trick of advisory notes, saying the Shels boss has made him mentally stronger, technically better and tactically smarter. Temple said: “He was good for me from day one. He drives standards in the changing room; he certainly made me a better player, constantly haggling me about every little detail, getting me to work on things such as my passes, how they have to be snapped in, even the flight of my long, diagonal balls was analysed.
“He gives you lots of advice and you always know he is coming from a good place. At first you might think, ‘ah, I don’t know’.
“But the fact is that when you are young, you need to be open to learning. You need to understand he knows a lot more about the game than you do. He has some amount of experience and it is great to take all that experience and to try and soak it in.”
Thanks to Duff Temple got to soak in the atmosphere on FAI Cup final day in 2022 when Shels surprised a few people by reaching the decider but then fell apart on the day against Derry, losing 4-0.
On that occasion Temple missed out on the match day squad, even if he relished being part of the build up, from a week being involved in the tactical preparation, through to the special Cup final treatment of staying overnight in a hotel and being measured for suits.
Then there was the Cup final atmosphere in the Aviva.
Back in 2022, Temple sat in the stands. Beat Drogheda today and he’ll start the 2024 decider on the pitch.
And even though no one gives them a chance against Kevin Doherty’s in-form team, he believes they can shock the Louth club.
Temple said: “The fact no one has backed us is a good thing - as there is no pressure on us.
“Now look, the First Division is a different style of football. You see more of that nitty gritty side of football that you have to be able to play. At times First Division games are like basketball games at times - end to end - but sometimes that’s the style you have to use to win.
“Take Galway. They took that First Division style into the Premier Division and have a different way of playing to everyone else. A lot of Premier Division teams aren’t used to that and have struggled with them. Personally, I think it is good to get that experience as a First Division player to help you on your way.”
And if it gets Wexford to a Cup final, that would be the highlight of his career.
Temple said: “It would mean a lot to get there; it would be some experience to have.”
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