Graham Cummins: Joey O'Brien - a leader without ego who had everyone's respect

The former Bolton Wanderers player has been exceptional with Shamrock Rovers, and has had nothing but a positive impact with the club

PROPER PRO: Retiring Shamrock Rovers defender Joey O’Brien will be hard to replace. Our columnist was a big fan of how O’Brien interacted with his team-mates. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Tonight brings an end to the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division season, and also Joey O’Brien’s time as a Shamrock Rovers player. The former Republic of Ireland international has decided to end his successful four-year stay with the Tallaght club and become part of Damien Duff’s coaching staff at Shelbourne.

Whenever a player arrives back from the UK, many fans are sceptical about whether he is joining a League of Ireland club for the right reasons. Is he joining because he genuinely believes he still has a lot to offer, and can make a difference? Does he value the standard of the league? Or is he joining because it’s convenient and a little bit of extra money towards the tail end of his career?