Shamrock Rovers have confirmed that defender Joey O'Brien will leave the club at the end of the season to join Damien Duff's coaching staff at Shelbourne.
The 35-year-old was widely rumoured to Duff's first choice as assistant manager when appointed last month and, though Shels are yet to confirm, he is expected to take the role.
Crumlin native O'Brien, a Rovers fan from childhood, joined the Hoops ahead of the 2018 season after an injury-hit spell brought an end to his time at West Ham United.
He won two league titles during a successful spell with Hoops and helped the club to end a 32-year wait for an FAI Cup win in 2019.
The five-times-capped international made more than 100 Premier League appearances for Bolton Wanderers and West Ham but a succession of knee injuries plagued his time in England.
O'Brien, who began his career in midfield before moving into defence, made 85 appearances in four years at Tallaght Stadium, scoring four goals.
A Rovers statement read: "Defender 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 teamm scoring four 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.
