Shelbourne latest as Luke Byrne discusses Joey O'Brien appointment, Damien Duff fallout and the transfer window

Luke Byrne feels it is important to reflect and recognise the scale of Damien Duff’s achievements at Shelbourne. But Duff’s former captain - and current Shels technical director - knows that what happens next under new boss Joey O'Brien is even more important.

The Reds were reeling from Duff’s bombshell departure two weeks ago, particularly as it came out of the blue, but they steadied the ship with O'Brien's permanent appointment on Thursday night.

Byrne was one of the Shels chiefs - on hand at their AUL training base that Sunday morning - who tried to convince Ireland legend Duff to change his mind and stay.

It was more than just a hopeful punt as Byrne was tight with Duff, who previously hailed the 31-year-old as the best captain he ever worked with as a manager or player. And that’s quite the compliment considering Duff played alongside the likes of Roy Keane with Ireland and John Terry at Chelsea.

But there was no talking Duff around and Byrne briefly laced up the boots and dusted off the tracksuit to give O’Brien a hand during his two-game stint as interim boss.

Sign up for our League of Ireland news service on Whats App

Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Recalling the day Duff delivered his explosive news, Byrne said: "He told us that he was resigning and everything that happened after that was a private conversation. We wanted Damien to keep leading the team forward but it was his decision and we have to respect that. He’s done an incredible job at the club, achieved amazing things and we’ll always be incredibly grateful to him.

"He’s left a legacy there. But with a game (in Waterford) the next day, the focus quickly switched to looking forward, not looking back. That’s the nature of the beast, that’s football, life goes on.”

Byrne was handed the captain’s armband when Duff took charge of Shels for the 2022 season and he continued: “He took over a team that had just been promoted. I think we had three or four players contracted for the season, so he put a squad together, he developed us as individuals, he created a bond and connection. We kept improving along the way and exceeding people’s expectations on the outside, but internally we always had high standards, very high expectations.

“And that was ultimately defined and dictated by the manager. And he demanded that we lived up to those (standards) every day. The progress of the team from the cup final, to qualifying for Europe to winning the league, his record speaks for itself. He did an incredible job. I haven’t seen a managerial performance like that in the League of Ireland in my time, playing and supporting it. That will never be taken away from Damien.”

After what transpired to be his final game in charge - the 1-0 home defeat to Derry City two weeks ago - Duff went shooting from the lip as he criticised his players’ desire. Byrne shared a dressing room with some of them before retiring at the end of the 2023 season, aged 30, due to serious knee issues.

But he feels their application in the wake of Duff’s departure has been top notch as Shels look keep the show on the road under O'Brien, ahead of a seismic week for the club. The champions drew 2-2 in Waterford the day after Duff’s exit and followed up with a 1-1 draw in Galway last Friday, ahead of hosting bottom side Cork City tonight.

Byrne continued: “You might look at it from the outside and think it’s a huge job but you just have to look at the way the players played on the Monday in Waterford. The two performances last week were two of the most pleasing and promising performances of the season, so that’s the proof.

“The professionalism of the players speaks for itself. They knew they had big games and they weren’t talking about the Linfield game. It was all about those league games and we’ve got another one tonight before we turn our attention towards Europe. Obviously with that game looming, there was nothing better to refocus minds.”

But languishing 16-points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers in fifth place, the Drumcondra men could do with an urgent upturn in fortunes. Not least with Shels so desperate to beat Linfield over two legs as doing so opens up the ‘champions path’ in Europe and guarantees at least three more ties.

It’s a fact not lost on Byrne who said: “Given what happened, having two games last week and straight into another game this week was probably the best remedy. That’s where the players and staff are most comfortable - on the training pitch, in the analysis room, in the stadiums preparing for and playing games.

“We just had to refocus very quickly on the matches because our league form hasn’t been good enough and we have to get back to winning ways. The players know it too, that there’s a responsibility at this football club to win games, and unfortunately we haven’t won enough recently.

“We played well last week and we were pleased with the performances but ultimately the games were similar to a lot this season - we didn’t win games we dominated. And all of a sudden there won’t be too many games left, so we’re all very aware of the need to start winning games of football in the league.”

But Byrne believes Shels are in good hands with the appointment of O'Brien as Duff's successor and said: "Joey has been a fundamental part of the team’s success over the last few years. His strong leadership skills, relationship with the players and relentless desire to be successful make him the ideal man to lead us forward.."

Meanwhile, Byrne has reassured supporters that Shelbourne's transfer business remains on track this month despite Duff’s bombshell departure..

He had been working closely with Duff in recent months to identify targets. But it was unclear where those plans stood once Duff tendered his resignation, but Byrne claims it will be business as usual.

"In terms of incomings and outgoings, we’ve been working towards this window for quite a while and we’re still looking to be active this month,” he said.

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.