Joey O'Brien not ruling himself out as possible Damien Duff successor

In their first game since Damien Duff's exit as manager, Shelbourne drew 2-2 with Waterford.

Shelbourne interim head coach Joey O'Brien said it has been "a tough 24 hours" for everyone at the club since Damien Duff's departure. Pic: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Shelbourne interim manager Joey O’Brien started life as boss of the champions with a 2-2 draw against Waterford. The crossbar denied Damien Duff’s successor for now all three points in the dying seconds after Daniel Kelly’s stunning strike struck the underside of the woodwork.

In what he admitted was a “mad 24 hours” for the Tolka Park club, and that his players were “shocked by the departure” of Duff, he was pleased about how they responded on the field after the disappointment of defeat to Derry.

Commenting after the draw with Waterford, O’Brien said: “It was a shock for everyone in the football club, myself included. From a personal point of view, I absolutely loved the manager. He will always be my manager.

“We had some great times, and he built this really. When you look at the success that we’ve had over the last few years, I don’t think that it would be possible without him. As I said to the lads before the game, we’re the luckiest people in the world because we get paid to be involved in professional football.

“There’s just such a small few that get paid to do so, and they should feel privileged. It has been a tough 24 hours for all involved in the football club, but I think that the players responded tonight and we were unlucky not to win all three points.” 

When asked if he was the man to lead Shelbourne forward, O’Brien added: “Listen, I’m here, but I’m as shocked and stunned as everyone else in the football club was. There was a job to do, and as I said, we get paid, and we’re the luckiest people in the world for the jobs that we have.

“What has happened is part of the game. I’ve spoken to the lads about it because I’ve been a professional footballer. There are demands and the stuff you have to put on. I think that has been misquoted in the press about stuff being said as a bad thing. It’s not a bad thing.

“You are the luckiest player in the world, but you have to demand your own standards. This is the other side of professional football, but something unexpected can happen with a click of the fingers. What do you do? The only thing you do is you get back by the football club to perform, and that’s your job. I felt that all of them stood up tonight and put in a performance.”