Shels at high point of new era aiming to grip the bat lightly
Since Joey O'Brien took over as Shelbourne manager eight weeks ago, only Qarabag have inflicted defeat on the League of Ireland champions. Pic: ©INPHO/Andrew Conan
After ripping up the script last week, Shelbourne still need to be word-perfect to write a historic chapter.
A club with a trove of memories began this latest journey just under four years ago.
Damien Duff assumed control of the team promoted back to the Premier Division, took a scalpel to the squad and it’s been incremental progress since.
FAI Cup runners-up in 2022, European qualifiers in 2023, top-flight title winners in 2024.
Joey O’Brien flanked Duff along the odyssey but now takes charge for arguably the high point of this current run.
Cynics were swift to declare the end of this era when the Irish legend walked out of his job on a sunny June morning eight weeks ago at the AUL complex.
O’Brien did what has always come naturally by carrying on regardless. Initially as caretaker, Duff’s assistant was soon exalted with permanent manager status.
Tuesday night against Rijeka will be his 12th game at the helm.
Only the swashbuckling Qarabag inflicted defeat on a team he picked and his side confront a schedule capable of turbocharging their season.
Last week’s 2-1 win in Croatia was a result few saw coming, offering a platform to secure a Europa League playoff spot at home without even having to win over 90 minutes.
O’Brien sticking to the line that the Reds remain underdogs despite their lead gains credence when the respective squad values are contrasted.
Croatian football, club and international, is streets ahead of Ireland.
The only comparison when they're cited as the exemplar for Ireland to replicate is population.
Defeat won’t be considered a disaster for O'Brien either.
By overcoming Linfield in the opening round of the Champions League last month, three lives at reaching the league phase of European competition were granted.
This is the second.
Failure to maximise their midway advantage would only result in the final parachute being activated – a rematch with either Linfield or Vikingur Gøta for a spot in the Conference League. The Faroese side lead 2-1 heading into Thursday’s second leg in Belfast.
Irrespective of how this second leg concludes, potentially after extra-time and penalties, Shels will have a playoff next week to determine their league phase route.
Prize-money of €3.8m is the crock of gold awaiting.
Beyond the European adventure, Shels are well-positioned heading into the final series of nine matches, just four points off second place. There’s an FAI Cup last-16 clash at St Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday week as well.
“It's not really thinking about what's at stake and what it can do for the club, financial-wise,” reasoned former Ireland defender O’Brien.
“If you start thinking like that, you start gripping the bat too tight.
“It’s one of my favourite sayings - you start wondering ‘oh, if this happens, we can do this’.
“I just don't think you can play like that. You must have an understanding of what’s got you here. It’s a big occasion but make sure you're ready to play well and don't have a regret of feeling that I was thinking of what could have been.
“I’ve told the players to realise these opportunities don't come around too often. You must put your best foot forward and make sure you have no regrets.”
Not many in the Shels squad have passed this watershed but centre-back Paddy Barrett has fond memories of reaching the group stage with Dundalk in 2016.
A second-leg 3-0 win over BATE Borisov was the glamorous side of a tricky tie.
“We got pumped in the first leg over there, the best 1-0 loss I was ever involved in,” he said, laughing at returning from Belarus relieved.
“There was tension but also confidence because we had a brilliant team.
“This is a big game too with a lot at stake. We know the quality of opposition Rijeka are having got a feel of them over them. Yet we just need to take our own game to them.
“We've worked on some things this week and will have a right crack off them.”
Whereas Shels will be missing Seán Boyd from sustaining a calf injury last Wednesday, Rijeka have Toni Fruk returning from suspension. Their €4m recruit from Fiorentina has been linked with a move to RB Leipzig but his club will want a tie-changing impact from their star man first to avoid an embarrassing Europa exit.
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