O’Brien Relishing Tolka Opener After Weather Delay | OneFootball

Shelbourne FC return to Tolka Park on Friday night for their first home fixture of the 2026 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division season,

Galway United are the visitors as the Reds finally get their home campaign underway after last week’s postponement due to a waterlogged pitch.

Joey O’Brien’s side will be eager to begin their home campaign under the lights following the frustration of last week’s fixture against Shamrock Rovers being called off.

Speaking to ShelsTV after training on Thursday, the Reds boss provided an injury update: Ellis and Sean Moore are continuing their recovery, and we’ve JJ back in the squad which is a boost. We’re all set for tomorrow.

The rain ended all hopes of last week’s Dublin Derby going ahead, reflecting on the disruption O’Brien said: “We found out early enough, so it was just about reorganising training. The lads had a couple of days off after we trained Friday evening and went into a normal week from Monday. That’s the reality of the weather the last few weeks. That we’ll lose games to rain, thing will move. That’s the time of year it is. We’re delighted we’re not back on the road and to have a home game back in Tolka is one we’re really looking forward to.”

The lack of game last week may ultimately prove to have one winner, the pitch at Tolka Park. O’Brien was full of praise for the club staff who have worked tirelessly on the ground to get it in shape for the new season: “The pitch looks brilliant, a hell of a lot of work has gone into it. The new stand looks great as well. You don’t want to ruin the pitch on your first game there, so maybe the game not happening will help the pitch maintenance, the place is looking really good. It’s special for us. With that reopening of the new stand it’s another boost to the ground and another positive improvement.

On the threat of Galway United, who lost their opening game 1-0 to Drogheda United, before being rained off in their next outing: “It’s always a difficult game, there are no easy matches in this league. We had three draws with them last season and beat them once. They’re hard to break down and very physical, with experienced players who know the game well. It’ll be a tough match.”

O’Brien feels the extra week will stand to new arrivals and players looking to get up to speed: “Having the extra week definitely benefited some of the lads, especially those coming back in later like JJ. The new lads are bedding in Rodrigo and Maill has been around the camp as well. It’s been a good week of training and everything leads into Friday night.

“Means for me it’s always a tough one to pick a and the squad even is hard to pick, but that’s what I said to the lads. If you want to challenge deep into competitions and still be playing late in the season, you need 22 or 23 players ready to go. That’s where we want to be.

This week marked the retirement of Matty Smith, who played with the Reds from 2022-2024, winning the League of Ireland title before departing for Waterford at the end of that season. Injury brought an early end to the Scottish native’s career O’Brien has told him, he’ll always be welcome at Tolka: “Matty Smith is a great lad, sad to see him have to retire. When he came in during the summer window in 2022 he gave us a big boost. It was a real statement signing for the club and he was brilliant for those first six months at Shels.

He played a huge part in getting us to the cup final, even though he couldn’t play in it, which was a shame for him and us and he scored some massive goals, goal of the season two years in a row. Some great memories. A real impact player.

He’s been an important part of the rise of the football club that culminated in winning the league. Still such a young lad with so much to give. Very sad to see the injury end it for him. But he’s a great lad and has great memories of his time here. I wish him the very best for what comes next in his life and I hope Matty knows he’s always welcome here at Tolka, this is his home and we’re all grateful for what he gave during his time here.”