
Green Triangle lands Gowran Classic as Joseph O'Brien dominates
O'Brien said: 'The horse got a good set-up. We were here to try and get some prize-money. I said to Ronan to get a positive start and give him a chance because we had been sending him to the front.
'He probably enjoyed that, first-time blinkers, and he got all the money.
'It was a good race. And So To Bed bounced right back to form. I thought if she came back to her Curragh run she was probably the one to beat in the race, and it looks like she did.
'This fella is a talented horse but a tricky customer. In Killarney he was going to win when he jumped out through the rail, he's always run pretty well.
'It was a great result. It's great prize-money and we obviously always try and target those races.
'The winner will probably turn up in a nice three-year-old handicap somewhere.'
As for Whelan, O'Brien said: 'I'm particularly happy for Ronan because he got injured off my filly in the Curragh, he got a cut on the back of his head, and today is his first day back riding.
'I was feeling sorry for him, it was a freak accident, and it's great for him to get a winner and a big pot.'
Dancing Teapot emerged as another winner for O'Brien in the Today's Gate Sponsored By The INPBA.
Sent off the 11-8 favourite, the sister of Lockinge runner-up Dancing Gemini beat In My Teens by a length.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Harry Wood stars as Joey O'Brien seals winning start as Shelbourne boss against 10-man Cork City
JOEY O'BRIEN declared in his low key appointment as new Shelbourne boss he wanted the players to take all the focus. And Harry Wood would as he inspired Advertisement 2 Shelbourne and Joey O'Brien got off to a winning start after the departure of Damien Duff 2 Harry Wood starred for Shelbourne in a 3-1 triumph over Cork City Wood - the man who scored the title winner for the Reds last year - scored after two minutes and made one for Mipo Odubeko after six minutes as the O'Brien era started at speed. Damien Duff's former assistant only took charge full-time 24 hours earlier - he was in charge for two draws previously when Wood and Odubeko also scored - with a low key statement. There was no fanfare with just a statement realised on the Shelbourne website where O'Brien declared: 'It's not about me, it's all about the players. "This is a proud moment for me, but the focus is on them and what we do together from here.' Advertisement read more on football And that is what happened as Shelbourne started quickly, stayed cool when they wobbled midway through the game, and then won it late as JJ Lunney scored a fortuitous goal. It was far from a perfect win. Bottom club City were still let back in the game before half-time when Kitt Nelson scored and it may have been a different outcome had Charlie Lyons not been sent off after 50 minutes. But after a tough few weeks at Tolka following Duff's shock resignation, a win ahead of going into Champions League action against Linfield next week was a huge boost for confidence. Advertisement Most read in Football And the foundations were laid by Wood as Cork City debut goalkeeper Conor Brann was beaten twice inside the opening six minutes. City were the masters of their own downfall with the concession of the first goal after just 88 seconds being self-inflicted. Palestine GAA players watch camogie match on laptop They were in comfortable possession moving the ball around midfield and defence when centre half Lyons was closed down by Wood. He tried to pass the ball out to Matthew Kiernan but Wood intercepted and raced in to scoop over the advancing Brann into the empty net. Advertisement O'Brien punched the air in celebration, and was doing so again on six minutes with a goal that was all about Shelbourne's passing and movement. They moved the ball quickly through midfield before Wood and Evan Caffrey played a one-two on the right and crossed low for Odubeko to fire home from close range. Shels fans were in dreamland as their team produced the good expected of champions and it could have got even better for them. Brann did well to save a shot from Coote later on while Odubeko fizzed a shot narrowly wide when he took advantage of a loose Cork pass in defence on 20 minutes. Advertisement Yet Shels' bad old habits were still there too, and the visitors were never out of it as the mistakes totted up on both sides. Darragh Crowley was only inches away from turning in a Freddie Anderson looping header when the defender was unmarked from an Alex Nolan free kick a minute later. And two minutes from half-time, Shels' defensive lapses finally cost them when Kitt Nelson pulled a goal back that his side scarcely deserved. It came off a set-piece as Nolan swung it in from the right and it was returned across goal by Lyons to Anderson to teed up Nelson to fire through a thicket of legs into the net. Advertisement But whatever chance the visitors had was virtually extinguished three minutes later when Lyons was shown a straight red card for a challenge on McInroy. And Shelbourne kept getting chances with Dan Kelly, Wood and Norris all going close before Lunney settled in seven minutes from time. Again, it was a goal that City's defence will not want to see back as he chased an over hit corner from the left out to the right flank. And while there is not doubt that he was crossing the ball, no City man reacted as it bounced in the six yard box and into the net. Advertisement Shelbourne 3 (Wood 2, Odubeko 6, Lunney 83) Cork City 1 (Nelson 43) Sun Star Man - Harry Wood Shelbourne: Kearns 7; Coyle 7, Barrett 7, Ledwidge 7; Caffrey 7 (Boyd 60, 6), McInroy 7 (Kelly 60, 6), Lunney 7, Norris 7; Wood 9 (O'Sullivan 79, 6), Coote 7 (Chapman 60, 6); Odubeko 7 (Martin 71, 6). Cork City: Brann 5; Mbeng 5, Crowley 5, Anderson 5 (Lutz 76, 6), Lyons 4, Kiernan 5; Murray 5 (McLaughlin ht, 6), Bolger 6; Nelson 6 (O'Sullivan 56, 6), Nolan 6 (Kelleher 56, 6); Maguire 5 (Dijksteel ht, 6). Referee: R Harvey (Dublin) 6. Advertisement

The 42
a day ago
- The 42
Shelbourne confirm Joey O'Brien as Damien Duff's full-time successor
SHELBOURNE HAVE CONFIRMED the appointment of Joey O'Brien as the club's new head coach on a long-term deal, as first reported by The 42 on Wednesday. Former Republic of Ireland international O'Brien had served for three and a half years as Damien Duff's second-in-command and took charge of the League of Ireland champions on an interim basis following Duff's shock departure last month. Shels drew both fixtures for which O'Brien was interim boss — 2-2 at Waterford and 1-1 at Galway United respectively — and the club have now appointed the Dubliner on a full-time basis ahead of what will be his first home game in charge against Cork City on Friday. 'This is an incredible honour,' O'Brien said upon Thursday night's confirmation of his full-time appointment. 'Of course, being honest, it was unexpected — not something I was thinking about. The opportunity came up and I was asked to take it. I didn't take long to say yes. Advertisement 'I'm obviously delighted to be given the chance and grateful for the trust shown in me by the owners and the board. It's a privilege to be given this chance to continue the work that's been done over the last few years. 'I know first-hand what this club is about and that's an advantage coming into the job,' O'Brien added. 'Over the last three and half years, I've got to see this club grow. This place is full of special people, and fans who have seen it all and stood by the club through everything. 'I am absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity. Myself, the staff and the players — we're proud to be the custodians of such a historic club, one of the biggest in Irish football, and that's a great honour but ultimately, Shelbourne Football Club, the heart and soul of it, is the people who are there every Friday night, making this club what it is. 'The job is to make those people proud and create more special memories.' Shels are currently fifth in the Premier Division table and face Linfield in the first qualifying round of the Champions League next week. They welcome the Irish League champions to Tolka Park on Wednesday, 9 July, before visiting Windsor Park for the second leg the following week. Retaining their League of Ireland crown now looks beyond the reigning champions but they are just five points off second-placed Bohemians. The Gypsies have a couple of games in hand but European qualification remains a realistic aim for O'Brien. Shels' FAI Cup campaign also kicks off on 19 July when they travel away to the FAI Junior Cup winners and Limerick District League Premier Division champions Fairview Rangers. Tomás Qunn, Shelbourne CEO, added of his 'delight' at O'Brien's appointment that 'Joey brings a deep understanding of the game, a wealth of top-level experience, and a clear vision for the future of the club. 'His passion, leadership, and commitment to developing both the team and our culture made him the standout choice,' Quinn continued. 'We're confident Joey is the right person to lead us into the next chapter of Shelbourne's journey, and we're excited for what lies ahead under his stewardship.' Technical director Luke Byrne added: 'Joey has been a fundamental part of the team's success over the last few years and proved himself to be an outstanding coach, leader and communicator. 'His strong leadership skills, relationship with the players in the dressing room, and relentless desire to be successful make him the ideal man to lead us forward. Related Reads Losing the LOI's top scorer for €30,000 shows measures clubs must take just to keep up From chasing new signings to calling it quits - Damien Duff resigns at end of dramatic week 'The appointment of Joey gives us continuity and stability at a crucial time in the season as well as the club's long term strategic plan. I can't wait to see him take to the touchline in Tolka Park as our head coach tomorrow night.'


Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shelbourne confirm Joey O'Brien as Damien Duff's successor
Joey O'Brien tonight spoke of his pride after being confirmed as Damien Duff's successor at Shelbourne. O'Brien was Duff's assistant and has signed a long-term deal as manager. The former Ireland international will be in charge on Friday night against Cork City and into Wednesday's Champions League date with Linfield. O'Brien said: 'This is an incredible honour. It was unexpected, not something I was thinking about. 'The opportunity came up, I was asked to take it and I didn't take long to say yes. I'm obviously delighted to be given the chance and grateful for the trust shown in me. 'It's a privilege to be given this chance to continue the work that's been done over the last few years.' 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. O'Brien - who was in interim charge for Shels' last two games - continued: 'Leading Shelbourne is a huge honour and I feel very lucky 'I know first-hand what this club is about, and that's an advantage coming into the job. Over the last three-and-a-half years I've got to see this club grow. This place is full of special people, and fans who have seen it all and stood by the club through everything. 'I'm absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity - myself, the staff and the players we're proud to be the custodians of such an historic club. 'I'm excited to take this step. I've learned a huge amount over the last three-and-a-half years working under Damien, and ultimately, that experience has led to this moment. 'But it's not about me, it's all about the players. This is a proud moment for me, but the focus is on them and what we do together from here.' O'Brien was always the clear favourite for the job but there was red tape around Pro Licence requirements, but O'Brien is enrolling on the next course. Shels CEO Tomas Quinn - the former Dublin GAA star - said: 'Joey brings a deep understanding of the game, a wealth of top-level experience, and a clear vision.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.