Shels eyeing quick manager appointment after O'Brien exit
Shelbourne manager Joey O'Brien dejected after Monday's defeat to Bohs. Pic: INPHO/Gavin Cullen
Shelbourne will look to make a swift managerial appointment after relieving Joey O’Brien of his duties just a year after he succeeded Damien Duff in the job.
Monday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Bohemians was the first loss in 10 under the former Ireland international’s tenure but it’s understood the board already had leadership doubts given the scale of squad investment.
Caretaker boss Lorcan Fitzgerald takes the Reds to Sligo Rovers on Saturday night, sitting in fifth place, 14 points off leaders Shamrock Rovers.
O’Brien was Duff’s assistant when they defied their underdog tag to lift the club’s first top-flight title for 18 years and he guided them to third during his half-season in standalone charge.
That he also oversaw the Reds’ progression through the champions’ path of Uefa’s Premier competition to reach the Conference League phase was his most impressive feat.
That grossed Shels €4.45m in prize-money and requalifying them this season guarantees another €525m.
That enhanced windfall is due to a higher overall LOI coefficient bypassing the first round. Incredibly, they could meet Linfield for a third European tie in the space of a year if the Belfast club overcome Estonian outfit Nõmme Kalju in the first round.
Europe begins for Shels on July 23, the first leg away from home before they return to Tolka a week later, and the plan is to have the new boss ensconced in the position by then.
There’s an upcoming transfer window to tackle, with Harry Wood the subject of intense interest from Luton Town, an FAI Cup trip to last year’s semi-finalists Kerry and the task of reigniting the team’s quest for a fourth European qualification on the spin.
Stephen Rice’s candidature has again surfaced despite the 41-year-old having not previously managed. His reputation as a coach, with the FAI, Crystal Palace and currently Brentford, where he slotted into set-piece specialist role occupied by promoted compatriot Keith Andrews, is undisputed but it would seem a risk handing him the reins at this critical juncture of the season.
Ciarán Kilduff is another young coach with admirers around Tolka. The former Shels striker seamlessly migrated from managing Athlone Town’s women to Dundalk’s men over the past two years.
Not alone did he deliver on his remit of returning the Lilywhites to the Premier Division at the first attempt but they’ve flourished by rising to third with just over a third of the campaign remaining.
Meanwhile, its second against third at Dalymount in Friday’s live televised games as Bohemians welcome in-form St Patrick’s Athletic. Stephen Kenny’s side have won both of their games, against Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers, since the international break while Bohs are buoyant following their trip to Tolka.
“Supporters have seen the worst of us and the best of us over the past couple of weeks and we have a real job of work to ensure that they see the best of us more often,” said Bohs boss Alan Reynolds, who will be without striker Douglas James-Taylor.
“To get the levels of consistency we need to kick on and get to where we want to be, we must show the same sense of purpose that we had on Monday in all games.”
: Shamrock Rovers v Galway United, Tallaght Stadium (7.30pm); Derry City v Drogheda United, Ryan McBride Brandywell; Dundalk v Waterford, Oriel Park; Bohemians v St Patrick’s Athletic, Dalymount Park (8pm).
Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne, Showgrounds.
Athlone Town v Finn Harps, Athlone Town Stadium; Cork City v Bray Wanderers, Turner’s Cross; Kerry v Longford Town, Mounthawk Park; UCD v Cobh Ramblers, Belfield Bowl; Wexford FC v Treaty United, Ferrycarrig Park.
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