O'BRIEN RECALLS GOOD OLD DAYS AT TOLKA PARK

JOEY O'Brien says he is a Shelbourne “blow-in” - but a childhood connection to the club means he is more invested in the news of a new 250-year Tolka Park lease than he might be as the club's head coach.

- BY MARK MCCADDEN

The Reds made the landmark announcement on Tuesday evening to the delight of supporters, particularly those involved in the Save Tolka Park campaign.

O'Brien revealed not only did he play underage Ireland matches there, but he often went to games to watch an old neighbour - and a Shelbourne legend - in action.

He was coached during his schoolboy days at Lourdes Celtic by Reds icon Tony Sheridan's dad.

“It's absolutely brilliant,” said O'Brien of the Tolka Park news. “An unbelievable amount of work was done with the fans at the start to really keep it going while there were tough times and dark times and not many fans probably in the ground.

“So those fans, a huge, huge gratitude, to them by everyone else at the club.