O’Brien tells Shelbourne players to ‘seize day’ in Euro battle
Having made a winning return in Europe after an 18-year absence last week, for Shelbourne, tonight it’s all about getting the job done in Gibraltar.
With a Conference League second round date against FC Zurich the prize on offer here, as well as a cheque for €550,000, nights like these don’t come around too often.
After their 2-1 first-leg victory over St Joseph’s at Tolka Park, Damien Duff revealed how he showed his league leaders a “powerful” tribute video, created by the club’s media team, just minutes before their return to the European stage.
And hearing from his assistant Joey O’Brien on the eve of tonight’s second leg, another clip comes to mind. “Carpe diem – seize the day boys – make your lives extraordinary,” declared Robin Willians, in his famous 1989 film Dead Poets Society.
This evening, in the heat of the Rock of Gibraltar, Shelbourne will look to do exactly that and return to Dublin with a second round tie secured.
“For League of Ireland players to get an opportunity, it’s a massive carrot I suppose and you chased it all last year to be here. You have to take advantage of it and seize the day. Tonight is that moment,” said O’Brien ahead of the second leg (5.0 Irish time).
“We’re going to take care of business. The boys are professional footballers. You’re coming here to do a job and that’s what they have all dreamt about.
“You have to embrace it and enjoy it. The message, and they understand it, is don’t have any regrets. Make sure you embrace it but that can’t make you freeze.
“You’ve got to raise your level, seize the moment, but don’t go into battle too tight because sometimes, when you want it too bad, that’s when you can’t perform and play at your best. Mistakes then creep into your game because you’re thinking of how desperately you want something. You’ve got to get the balance.”
In his playing career, O’Brien made 29 appearances in Europe across his spells at Shamrock Rovers, West Ham and Bolton. Memories from nights around the continent remain special.
“When I started at Bolton, [we had] two UEFA Cup campaigns in three years. I was 19. Sam [Allardyce] was the manager and he always said to embrace these moments, because you don’t know when they’ll come around again,” added O’Brien, who reported a fully fit squad for the tie.
“I look back on my career and I really did [embrace them]. Marseille, Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid, huge games I look back on fondly because that message hit home with me. You may never get it again.”
With tempratures around the 25 degree mark at kick off, O’Brien added: “Even though it’s very hot, it’s also very windy because of where it is, so that actually cools it down quite nicely.”