Shamrock Rovers have confirmed that Joey O'Brien is leaving the club to join Shelbourne F.C. in a coaching capacity.

The move was widely speculated when Damien Duff was recently announced as the new Shels boss.

A brief statement from Rovers on Monday afternoon said that while they regretted the defender would not remain on with them, especially after so much recent success, they understood his decision and wished him well.

Club Statement l Joey O'Brien

— Shamrock Rovers FC ☘️ (@ShamrockRovers) November 15, 2021

The Rovers statement in full read;

"Joey O’Brien has decided not to re-sign as a player for our 2022 Squad and will, instead, take up a coaching role at Shelbourne F.C.As a self-professed Rovers fan we understand that this was not an easy decision for him to make and we wish him well.

"Signed in 2018, Joey made 85 appearances for the first team scoring 4 goals. He has been part of the playing group that has won a trophy in each of the last three seasons and will be missed by the squad, management and the fans."

O'Brien is the first confirmed member of Duff's backroom team at Tolka Park.

This is the former Republic of Ireland star's first senior management role.

Speaking after his appointment earlier this month he said he was nervous but also looking forward to the challenge ahead with the newly-promoted club.

“Am I scared? Absolutely, yeah. Do I feel uncomfortable? Absolutely. But I’ve been preaching to kids since day one, my own two kids, the 15s at Rovers, the 17s at Shels, about showing personality, about showing courage, which they can lack at times.

“For me to say no on Friday, I was lacking courage, I was lacking personality. So over the weekend, the board asked me to reconsider and I did and that was soul searching.

“I can’t preach to kids or coach the kids, whether it be men, women or children, and then turn it down. So that’s why I’m here.”