I TOOK A LARGE GAMBLE ON DAYLE OR NO DAYLE & IT PAID OFF

Bohs star Rooney says his exit from Shels was a major blessing in disguise

- BY MARK McCADDEN

DAYLE ROONEY says he is grateful to Damien Duff for showing him the door at Shelbourne.

The winger spent five seasons at the Reds, making over 100 appearances and scoring 19 goals, and in his final campaign he helped them win promotion back to the Premier Division.

However, when Duff (above) arrived that winter, he made the decision to part ways with the then-22-year-old, who went on to sign for Drogheda United.

Now at Bohemians, after two impressive campaigns with the Boynesiders, Rooney is getting ready to face his former side.

He could be forgiven for having some animosity towards the man that brought the curtain down on his Tolka Park career.

But instead, Rooney reckons it was the kick he needed to advance his career.

"He sort of wanted his own squad when he came in. We'd won the league (First Division, under Ian Morris) before but that was his choice," said the 27-year-old.

"I'd probably thank him as well because it sort of kicked me on. I was there for five or six years and probably comfortable I would say.

"That was the first time I had to look at myself and say I wasn't good enough to stay there at the time, so it sort of kicked me on a bit and now here I am now."

Rooney is now in his second season with Bohs, having enjoyed his most productive campaign to date last year, scoring eight goals for the Gypsies in 39 appearances.