Damien Duff has stepped down from his role within the Republic of Ireland national team coaching set-up.

Duff had only took up the post in August, and leaves without any reason provided by the FAI.

Duff, aged 41, played 224 times for Rovers between 1996 and 2003, having graduated through the Academy and moved in to coaching in 2017 after ending his career at Shamrock Rovers.

He was capped 100 times by his country and was appointed to work alongside national team boss Stephen Kenny in August after he took the job following the departure of Mick McCarthy.

It has been a real struggle for the Irish since however, their camps blighted by Covid absences, and they haven’t won any of their eight matches this season and were knocked out in the Euro 2020 play-off semi-finals on penalties by Slovakia in October.

Speaking to the Irish FA website, Duff said: “I want to thank Stephen Kenny for the opportunity he gave me to coach with the senior Ireland team and I wish Stephen, Keith and the players all the very best of luck for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.”

Ireland have failed to score in their last seven matches and head into a triple-header of fixtures in March as they get their World Cup qualifiers under way against Serbia and Luxembourg, while also facing Qatar in a friendly.

Boss Kenny added: “Damien is an excellent coach as he proved in his time with us and his contribution to the Irish team was greatly appreciated by myself, my staff and the players and I wish him the very best of luck for the future.”