Latest news with #ShelbourneFC
Irish Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘When I sold my business, I bought a very expensive watch for around €7,000′
Gary Brown is a former Shelbourne FC footballer and club chairman. He is also a businessman and playwright. His play, Ollie ... One Love, One Life, about former Shelbourne FC chairman Ollie Byrne, which features Gary Cooke, plays at the Helix, Dublin, on Saturday and Sunday. Are you a saver or a spender? Now that I'm a writer and playwright and have retired from advertising, I'm definitely a spender, although I do squirrel away a few bob for special occasions. What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid? My first paid job was in 1973 as a lounge boy in a pub in Cabra – Matt Whelan's, which is no longer there. I was 13 pretending to be 16, and I worked with my then-pal Ashley Grimes, who went on to play for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland. We were paid 30p an hour. Do you shop around for better value? I tend to shop around for high-value items and I always like the banter and a good look around in a market or a second-hand shop. READ MORE What has been your most extravagant purchase, and how much did it cost? When I sold my business, I bought a very expensive watch for around €7,000. It's worth a lot more now, and I've passed it on to family. What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? Any house I've ever bought has been of value over time, and not just monetary value either, as there have been great memories and occasions. Is there anything you regret spending money on? There were a few meals out in expensive restaurants that I regret spending money on – poor quality food and service, and really over-the-top prices. [ Niamh Kavanagh: 'Thanks to my mum, I learned how to pay my bills before I spent money on myself' Opens in new window ] Do you haggle over prices? Yes, I would haggle in markets. I remember once in an antiques shop in London, I offered about half the asking price for a painting. The owner said: 'Wait here until I ask my business partner what he thinks.' He went into an alcove, pressed a button, and the sound from The Laughing Policeman played full volume around the shop. That was class and hilarious! Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency? I did invest in shares and I have done well, but also not so well – bank shares before the crash, we all remember those. Crypto? I know what I don't know, so no cryptocurrency for me. Do you have a retirement or pension plan? Yes, I have some ARFs [Approved Retirement Funds] that are in a mixture of property and cash. That said, I have some decisions to make soon. What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money? I've just bought some nuts for my bird feeder in Duncannon, Co Wexford, so that will keep the birds happy and me happy. So yes, good value. Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? When I was a teenager, I saved up for a brown leather jacket, which was a big purchase for me then. I loved it and thought I was the bee's knees in it. It was stolen, however, from a changing room while I was playing soccer. If I ever catch that louser! [ Johnny Lappin: 'I got scammed by a rogue so-called roofing contractor. I foolishly paid him in cash' Opens in new window ] Have you ever lost money? Yes. I was advised by a financial adviser, so-called, to invest in Custom House Capital. I got some of it back. Enough said. Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win? I have the odd flutter on golf, soccer and horses, but not much. I had a tenner each way on Padraig Harrington at 35/1 to win his first major in 2007, so that was great. What are your best and worst habits when it comes to money? My best habit is trusting my own judgment over advisers. I have listened to advisers in the past but I would now say: listen, then make your own decisions and trust yourself. My worst habit is that I have probably been too conservative sometimes and missed out on certain opportunities. Invest in yourself and trust yourself is my advice. Describe Ollie Byrne in one sentence? Ollie Byrne was an enigmatic force of nature who was obsessive, generous, enterprising, pugnacious and kind all in equal measure. How much money do you have on you now? I have €120. I still love having cash in my pockets.
Irish Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘I have invested in shares and I have done well, but also not so well'
Gary Brown is a former Shelbourne FC footballer and club chairman. He is also a businessman and playwright. His play, Ollie ... One Love, One Life, about former Shelbourne FC chairman Ollie Byrne, which features Gary Cooke, plays at the Helix, Dublin, on Saturday and Sunday. Are you a saver or a spender? Now that I'm a writer and playwright and have retired from advertising, I'm definitely a spender, although I do squirrel away a few bob for special occasions. What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid? My first paid job was in 1973 as a lounge boy in a pub in Cabra – Matt Whelan's, which is no longer there. I was 13 pretending to be 16, and I worked with my then-pal Ashley Grimes, who went on to play for Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland. We were paid 30p an hour. Do you shop around for better value? I tend to shop around for high-value items and I always like the banter and a good look around in a market or a second-hand shop. READ MORE What has been your most extravagant purchase, and how much did it cost? When I sold my business, I bought a very expensive watch for around €7,000. It's worth a lot more now, and I've passed it on to family. What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? Any house I've ever bought has been of value over time, and not just monetary value either, as there have been great memories and occasions. Is there anything you regret spending money on? There were a few meals out in expensive restaurants that I regret spending money on – poor quality food and service, and really over-the-top prices. [ Niamh Kavanagh: 'Thanks to my mum, I learned how to pay my bills before I spent money on myself' Opens in new window ] Do you haggle over prices? Yes, I would haggle in markets. I remember once in an antiques shop in London, I offered about half the asking price for a painting. The owner said: 'Wait here until I ask my business partner what he thinks.' He went into an alcove, pressed a button, and the sound from The Laughing Policeman played full volume around the shop. That was class and hilarious! Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency? I did invest in shares and I have done well, but also not so well – bank shares before the crash, we all remember those. Crypto? I know what I don't know, so no cryptocurrency for me. Do you have a retirement or pension plan? Yes, I have some ARFs [Approved Retirement Funds] that are in a mixture of property and cash. That said, I have some decisions to make soon. What was the last thing you bought, and was it good value for money? I've just bought some nuts for my bird feeder in Duncannon, Co Wexford, so that will keep the birds happy and me happy. So yes, good value. Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? When I was a teenager, I saved up for a brown leather jacket, which was a big purchase for me then. I loved it and thought I was the bee's knees in it. It was stolen, however, from a changing room while I was playing soccer. If I ever catch that louser! [ Johnny Lappin: 'I got scammed by a rogue so-called roofing contractor. I foolishly paid him in cash' Opens in new window ] Have you ever lost money? Yes. I was advised by a financial adviser, so-called, to invest in Custom House Capital. I got some of it back. Enough said. Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win? I have the odd flutter on golf, soccer and horses, but not much. I had a tenner each way on Padraig Harrington at 35/1 to win his first major in 2007, so that was great. What are your best and worst habits when it comes to money? My best habit is trusting my own judgment over advisers. I have listened to advisers in the past but I would now say: listen, then make your own decisions and trust yourself. My worst habit is that I have probably been too conservative sometimes and missed out on certain opportunities. Invest in yourself and trust yourself is my advice. Describe Ollie Byrne in one sentence? Ollie Byrne was an enigmatic force of nature who was obsessive, generous, enterprising, pugnacious and kind all in equal measure. How much money do you have on you now? I have €120. I still love having cash in my pockets.
Sunday World
11-05-2025
- Sunday World
Two friends with long history of personal injury claims have latest cases dismissed
Judge had been urged to 'join the dots' in case at Tullamore Court Two friends with a history of personal injury claims and road traffic accidents have had their cases dismissed after a judge found their evidence to be 'misleading and inconsistent'. Kieran Joyce and Francis Kerrigan Sr issued proceedings after alleging that a car they were travelling in veered off the road and hit a traffic pole following a night out in Birr, Co Offaly, on February 10, 2019. The Ford Fiesta was being driven by James Kerrigan, Mr Kerrigan's son. Both plaintiffs said Mr Kerrigan claimed an animal had run in front of the car, but neither of them had seen it because they were 'dozing off' and 'drunk'. A GP who examined Mr Joyce on behalf of the defendant, Axa Insurance, said in his medical report that he believed he was 'trying to fabricate how bad he is'. 'I have trouble believing a five-year-old is helping him out of bed,' Dr Alan Moran said. Francis Kerrigan Sr (left) and Kieran Joyce outside Tullamore Court. Photo: Frank McGrath 'Misleading and inconsistent' - two friends with history of multiple personal injury claims have cases dismissed Mr Kerrigan Sr also failed to disclose at least eight other accidents he was involved in, some of which resulted in payouts. Mr Joyce and Mr Kerrigan Sr did not attend Tullamore Circuit Court yesterday for Judge Chris Callan's ruling. Judge Callan said he had concerns about the veracity of their evidence after both failed to disclose previous injuries and accidents they had been involved in. He noted how Mr Kerrigan had been in 'at least eight' crashes with family members in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2019. Four passengers in the car received a total of €100,000 for personal injuries arising out of that accident. Mr Joyce had rear-ended a vehicle in front of him Judge Callan said he was concerned that 'no direct evidence' about how the alleged accident happened was given to the court, describing it as 'hearsay'. He questioned why James Kerrigan did not come home from America to give his version of events. Judge Callan noted how a garda who visited the scene said that neither of the plaintiffs had complained of injuries at the time. There was no damage to the traffic pole, while the left bumper had a 'light scrape'. However, when a motor assessor inspected the vehicle some time after the crash, there was damage above the right wheel arch. 'If this was caused by the pole, you'd expect damage to the pole,' Judge Callan said. 'It is not consistent or similar to the reference in the garda abstract'. He said Mr Joyce was 'not consistent or forthcoming in relation to previous injuries and changed his position in cross-examination'. 'Mr Joyce's direct evidence was only seven minutes, while he was cross-examined for over an hour,' Judge Callan said. The plaintiff, who told the court he previously played football for Shelbourne FC, had a trial for Celtic and played GAA with Dublin minors, had failed to tell the court he was involved in a serious road traffic accident in October 2018 on the Dundalk Road in Dublin, four months before the incident at hand. Four passengers in the car received a total of €100,000 for personal injuries arising out of that accident. Mr Joyce had rear-ended a vehicle in front of him. The court heard how he had previously brought two successful claims after separate accidents in 2012 and 2015. Kieran Joyce Elaine Hanniffy BL, for the defendant, stated he was represented by Paula Tiernan Solicitors in both those claims and was awarded €7,000 and €8,000 respectively. Ms Hanniffy said: 'You have been involved in multiple incidents and various different assaults with hurleys and a baseball bat. It's far more likely that any conditions you have were as a result of these. 'You apparently forgot you were involved in an accident that was of such severity that a lady's car was crushed'. Mr Joyce claimed he suffers from memory loss after suffering head injuries. He said he had to give up football, and that his wife and children had to pull him out of bed some mornings following the crash in 2019. In relation to Mr Kerrigan Sr, two medical reports by a Dr Sean O'Rourke were presented to the court, which diagnosed him as having a soft tissue injury. Judge Callan said 'evidence of the previous incidents and injuries are of significance'. 'When one compares his evidence in chief, where he refers to one incident only, and the evidence listed in cross-examination, one must question the veracity of his evidence,' he said. Counsel said her client had 'mental health issues' and indicated he would not be able to attend court at any time in the near future Mr Kerrigan said he did not remember some of the incidents, and initially did not recall another accident involving an animal and his son, Francis Kerrigan Jr, in 2010. 'You've had so many you can't remember?' Ms Hanniffy said. 'I'm just unlucky, I suppose,' Mr Kerrigan replied. 'It's one of them things.' Ms Hanniffy, instructed by Nathaniel Lacy and partners, said there was 'a history of personal injury claims involving his two sons and mystery animals'. Mr Joyce, Mr Kerrigan Sr and Mr Kerrigan Jr had sued James Kerrigan, who was insured by Axa, following the alleged incident. Before the case proceeded on Tuesday, Mr Kerrigan Jr withdrew his claim. His counsel, Rosalynn McVeigh BL, instructed by Enda P Moran solicitors, said her client had 'mental health issues' and indicated he would not be able to attend court at any time in the near future. Ms Hanniffy pointed out how the case had been adjourned on a number of occasions previously to enable Mr Kerrigan Jr to attend. Francis Kerrigan Sr Multiple witnesses including two doctors, two motor assessors and claims inspectors from insurance companies that had paid out for previous claims by Mr Joyce and Mr Kerrigan Sr attended the hearing. Ms McVeigh said Mr Joyce and Mr Kerrigan Sr had sustained soft tissue injuries and argued that their medical reports were consistent. However, Judge Callan disagreed. He said the evidence of Dr Moran, in particular, was 'compelling'. Francis Kerrigan Sr (left) and Kieran Joyce outside Tullamore Court. Photo: Frank McGrath News in 90 seconds - 11th May 2025 Dr Moran, who assessed Mr Joyce on behalf of the defendant, said there were some 'yellow flags'. When inspecting Mr Joyce's lower spine, the plaintiff was 'pushing' his back into his hand. 'Normally, they [patients] withdraw or move away from you when touching an area of pain. He was doing the opposite, which is a contradictory sign,' he said. She said it 'was not credible' for a plaintiff to turn up to court saying he 'doesn't remember, I've memory issues' When making her final submissions, Ms Hanniffy had urged Judge Callan to 'join the dots' regarding their previous history of claims and their inconsistent evidence. She said it 'was not credible' for a plaintiff to turn up to court saying he 'doesn't remember, I've memory issues'. Ms Hanniffy referenced Section 26 of the Civil Liability Act, which allows a case to be dismissed if false or misleading evidence is produced. Judge Callan dismissed both claims and awarded costs in favour of the defendants. 'It is clear that their evidence was misleading to the court. In so far as Mr Joyce, the nature and extent of existing and pre-existing injuries, and with Mr Kerrigan, the nature and extent of previous incidents of a similar nature,' he said. A spokesperson for Axa Insurance said: 'Axa welcomes the result of today's court case, as it fully vindicates the stance taken by our special investigation unit in relation to such claims. 'We will continue to defend cases of this nature.'
Irish Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Pat Dolan column: The League of Ireland needs to treat Damien Duff with respect
It is now fashionable to put the boot into Damien Duff. What a load of nonsense. Because all of us who love the League of Ireland should be down on our hands and knees. And that's because Damien's arrival into the greatest league in the world has made us box office. Read more: Liam Scales - I could see that the League of Ireland had huge potential The League of Ireland has been improving for years. Top players have always played in the League of Ireland such as Paul McGrath, Roy Keane, Eddie Gormley, Paul Osam, George O'Callaghan, Kevin Doyle, Seamus Coleman among dozens of others. But since Duffer shocked the world by agreeing to become Shelbourne FC manager, despite having no previous managerial experience at the top level, we have been in dreamland. He has changed the reality of the League. The fact that so many managers want to stick the boot into him and even 'friends' such as Stephen Bradley have made comments that Duffer has found insulting is actually a tribute to what a great personality and manager The DuffMeister is. When he came into the League, he was different to so many others because of the playing career he enjoyed. This, remember, was a Premier League winner and an international centurion. He was not just a top player. He was top, top. What shocked me was how much commitment and dedication he has brought to the role of League of Ireland management. It is how it should be. If you are privileged enough to be a top League of Ireland boss then of course it is going to affect your family and your social life. It is part of the gig when these things take over your life. But the difference for me is that Duff is so genuine. We all wait for his interviews especially after a defeat because he takes losses so personally that you can just imagine 'The Duffering' the Shels players get in the dressing room. Football is now a business. And most managers take jobs because it is a good opportunity to further their career and because of the financial rewards and opportunities. So many managers are always on the lookout for a bigger and better job. But Duff is not one of those people. I am unsure if Duff would move to Inter Milan, PSG, Barcelona or Real Madrid. Because the connection he has with the club and the supporters is special. Every victory to him feels like he has won the lotto. For a man that has achieved so much in his career and has won league titles in Ireland, Scotland and England, Duff has retained a sense of humility. It was such a complement to the League of Ireland to hear him say the highlight of his magnificent journey has been with Shelbourne FC. In my work in football, I would often end up in managerial offices after games. The whole handshake thing is an English trait which means nothing. We are different. And if someone wants to storm down the tunnel after the final whistle because their football club means the world to them, that is something I respect far more than people getting headlines for insulting the great man. Damien Duff is a national treasure. He is the greatest thing that has happened to Irish football since the creation of The Rebel Army in 2003. Wouldn't it be great if those who own Shelbourne found a way to turn the holy ground of Tolka Park into a magnificent, modern stadium - the kind of facility that Damien Duff deserves. Throughout his playing career, Damien was always quiet, respectful and admired for being such a dedicated family man as well as a leading player. And yet he was ready to sacrifice his personal time to go into the League of Ireland and take on a club that was struggling before he turned them into winners. That was a miracle. His demands on everyone around him, pleading with them to match his commitment, has been at the core of Shelbourne's success. But I worry that while we have all benefited from his shock decision to become a big boss in the LOI, if people keep disrespecting him and not acknowledge how transformational he has been, he might disappear as quickly as he arrived. That would be a disaster. Trust me, the League of Ireland minus the great Damien Duff would be like Hamlet without the Prince.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Damien Duff gets Ireland manager job verdict as 'offers could have been coming'
Shane Long admits he'd love to see Damien Duff managing the Ireland national team as he showered praise on his former team-mate's coaching career. The 46-year-old has been the manager of League of Ireland outfit Shelbourne FC since 2021 and led the club to their first league title for 18 years last season. Bringing silverware back to Shelbourne while seeing the club compete in the qualification rounds of the Champions League has brought attention onto the ex-Chelsea star and the upward trajectory of his managerial career. Long – who spent five years as Duff's international team-mate – admitted he hasn't been surprised with the success Duff and fellow Irishman Robbie Keane have enjoyed in management, with the latter in charge of Ferencvaros. "I knew there was a problem at the end of my career when I didn't know any of the players I was playing against, but I knew their coaches and managers - that was showing me how old I was getting," he exclusively told Ladbrokes. "But when you talk about the likes of Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, these are the kind of guys who don't surprise me at all with the fact they've gone into management. "I'm delighted for Duffer with how well things are going - when he was coaching with Ireland, you could just see how much he loved it, and how much effort he put into it. You could just tell he was going to go on to good things. I think they'll do well to keep hold of him in Ireland, you know." Long suggested that Duff's success with Shelbourne may have seen him field job offers but a desire to remain close to his family has resulted in his four-year stay at the club so far. "He's infectious when you meet him, as well," the ex-Southampton striker said. "With Duffer, I think he maybe could have had offers coming in, but he really wanted to progress the game in Ireland, and I know he really wanted to live back home there with his family and, yeah, just grow the league there, and I think he's done that. "It's not easier for them, but they come in immediately with respect from their players, because of the careers they've had - people will definitely be watching them a bit more. "I wouldn't say it's a case of Duff and Keane training themselves up for bigger jobs, but they're definitely learning a lot as managers right now. I hope the pair of them keep doing what they're doing, because it'd be nice to see one of them managing Ireland one day." Despite Long's belief that either Duff or Keane could manage the national team – who have been in the hands of Former Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson since July 2024 – the ex-Blackburn winger has certainly made his thoughts clear on the potential of that happening, with Duff admitting the role would "drive me insane". "I had the eight or nine months with Stephen [Kenny]," he said on the Episode podcast with Richie Sadlier last year. "You are in an office every day, just pottering around. There is nothing better than going in and being with the players – our players. It's special, you are building bonds every day. "What do international managers and coaches do? They might fly over and meet the player at the training ground... are you really building a bond? You build bonds on Friday nights, Monday nights here in Ireland. In England, Saturday afternoons. It doesn't interest me whatsoever because I'm learning too much at the moment." Ireland are next in action on June 6 when they welcome Senegal to the Aviva Stadium, before another friendly away to Luxembourg awaits four days later. World Cup qualifiers don't return until September, with Hungary and Armenia awaiting then.
