TWEETS: Tributes have been flying in for Damien Duff after he announced his retirement

Fitting response to a wonderful player.

Damien Duff has announced his retirement from football after a glittering career for both club and country. Taking in spells at Blackburn, Chelsea, Newcastle, Fulham, Melbourne City and, of course, Shamrock Rovers, his club highlights were undoubtedly the two Premier League titles he picked up with Chelsea in 2005 and 2006 under Jose Mourinho. The Dubliner was an international legend, picking up exactly 100 caps for his country and starring at the 2002 World Cup. Twitter has been alive to wish Duffer all the best.

Damien Duff retires. Was a class act!

— Emlyn Mulligan (@emlynmulligan) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff has called it a day? What a sad time for every #rovers fan. Too many memories to pin point one, but what a player he was! ??

— Nathan Longworth (@nathanlong26) December 21, 2015

For many years all great things in green came through Damien Duff. Superb player in his heyday, all the best in retirement. #COYBIG — Graham (@GrahamRalph1) December 21, 2015

One of the greats of Irish football #DamienDuff #HappyRetirement

— Kieran Malone (@KieranMal) December 21, 2015

Thank you Damien Duff.

— Taabish Khan (@BlueTaabish) December 21, 2015

Best of luck to Damien Duff. A legend!

— Aoife Dowd (@aoifedowd) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff, a skilful winger that fans loved & defenders hated. Ireland's greatest ever winger.

— Shane Costello (@shanecostellos) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff. Great player

— Edward (@EdH1905) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff has retired. Worth checking out interview with him in Second Captains annual. One of his most revealing. — Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff, what a legend ??????

— Tommy Everett (@CFATW) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff has to go down as an underachiever. Top class potential at Blackburn but the wrong move to Chelsea like lots of others. — John Maskell (@JMaskell8) December 21, 2015

Sorry to see that Damien Duff has retired. Class player and it was great to see him play in the Hoops.

— Alan Kinsella (@electionlit) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff retired? What a great 3 years he had at Chelsea — elite cervix pounder (@cheekynandoslad) December 21, 2015

Damien duff thank you for the memories good luck whatever you do ??

— Sam (@SamuelPye) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff vs Spain in '02. Outstanding. https://t.co/hToefXg3su — Paul Moore (@ElChiefMoore) December 21, 2015

I can write many words to describes what Damien Duff meant to me as a child, He achieved so much considering the amount of injuries suffered

— Jack Roche (@11ehcoRkcaJ) December 21, 2015

News of Damien Duff's retirement took me straight back to my seat when he banged in the 3rd #CFC in 15 mins vs. #FCB https://t.co/3Tl3c450x9 — Ben Francis (@BFrancis1) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff an absolute baller... #leftpeg

— Seosamh Ó Faircheall (@scoopmine) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff what a player — jason carey (@jjjcarey) December 21, 2015

Sad news about Damien Duff retiring. One of our best ever players. Delighted to see him playing a few games in our league too. #Duffer

— Ross Zambra (@TheKingOfPing) December 21, 2015

Damien duff is still a legend — Paul Murphy (@paul_mujayob) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff has retired. Absolute legend #allyouneedisduff #ffc #coyw

— Dan Crawford (@dancrawford85) December 21, 2015

Best of luck to Damien Duff in retirement and what ever he decides to do in the future... One of the best players to wear the green jersey! — Brian Slevin (@brianslevin123) December 21, 2015

Damien Duff a cracking player to have watched over the years. A true Irish legend. #DUFFER

— Ciaran O'Doherty (@Ciaran20591) December 21, 2015

Best of luck to Damien duff on his retirement. Enjoy it! You've been world class wherever you've been — Eduard Byrne (@eduardbyrne) December 21, 2015

Our personal favourite tribute is this brilliant anecdote about the man himself, summing the winger up perfectly.

He lived behind me growing up but always remember Damien Duff summer of '02 World Cup asking my mates and I could he join in our 5 a side.

— Pearse Corcoran (@pearsecorcoran) December 21, 2015

He gave me an accidental whack and winded me, he came down to my house after to apologise. I was only 12 at the time. Top bloke. — Pearse Corcoran (@pearsecorcoran) December 21, 2015