BABY GAP

Shels boss Duff insists 12 point chasm between champions and leaders is far from insurmountable & says they CAN retain title

- BY GARRY DOYLE

SHELS boss Damien Duff insists Shelbourne's title defence is not over - despite the fact they are now 12 points off the top.

Shamrock Rovers beat Shels 2-1 at Tolka Park last Friday to extend their lead over last year's champs from nine points to 12.

But Duffer (above) isn't giving up on making it two-in-a-row.

He said: "Life is over when you're 6-foot under so it's innate in me to never give in. I think you can get transfixed with the 12 points just like the 9 point-gap before the game.

"We just need to forget about the league table for the moment which sounds bizarre and attack each game and put some wins on the board.

That is easier said than done in a league that has eight strong teams and two others, Cork and Sligo, who are capable of taking points off any team on their day. Tonight they play St Pat's in their second Dublin derby in four days.

Duff said: "Of course we can't [afford to drop many more points].