A Chat with Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien

Declan "Fabio" O'Brien is thoroughly enjoying his second spell at Drogheda United and has already scored eleven goals this season. 

Fabio first joined the club in 2001 when he scored 21 goals in his first season and proceeded to captain the Drogs to their historic successes in winning the FAI Cup (2005),two Setanta Cups(2006 & 2007) and the elusive League Championship in 2007. The striker went on to star for St.Pat's in Europe and is the Drogs' all time leading goalscorer with a career total of 132 goals.
 

That was some goal you scored against Derry, lobbing the keeper from 25 yards!

Well the way I look at it is, the keeper has very little chance of saving, if you lob him at the right moment! Gavin Brennan had a marvellous game, scoring two goals after he'd scored the winning peno against Dundalk in the EA Sports Cup a few days earlier.

It's been a marvellous first half of the season for Drogheda so far, what is making the difference this year?

Well apart from the pre-season preparations and the experience of Mick Cooke and Robbie Horgan, it's also how well the players look after themselves individually between games, eating the right foods etc.

What did you make of the recent news that Monaghan have withdrawn from the league?
Having spent last season there I was gutted for all the players, staff, supporters and manager Roddy Collins. There are some great people up there but I couldn't believe how nobody was told anything beforehand. Usually there are a few warning signings first but the news was so sudden. That said I don't think the club were able to adjust to their promotion to the Premier Division. Last season we often played in front of only 30/40 people and then again, it  is a staunch GAA county. The figures just didn't add up.

You've just turned 32 ,you really look as if you 're thoroughly enjoying your football

Yeah I'm delighted to be back playing with Drogheda. I have great time for Mick and Robbie and we've a great set-up. I honestly think that we are good enough to win a cup this season.

You are back doing what you do best, scoring goals as you always did with Drogheda, though your switch to Dundalk brought the local rivalry to a whole new  level, with even a pig's head being thrown in your direction!

I fully understand the local rivalry between the two clubs and I was only talking to Tony "Boots" Grant recently about the same thing happening to him when he left Shamrock Rovers for arch rivals Bohemians! We found the whole thing to be really amusing to be honest!

Photo taken by Larry McQuillan

When the club went into administration in 2008, feelings on all sides were running high. Looking back  I think you were a bit of a scapegoat for some people!

 I always felt that some people made me a bit of a scapegoat for the club's troubles at that time. The thing that some people didn't realise was that I had been in and out of the team through a knee injury and had actually missed the previous two games! I'm glad things have moved on as I've so many fantastic memories with Drogheda and it's great to be part of such an excellent team going so well in the top half of the table!

You've been doing your coaching badges

Yes I'm doing my B Licence this year. I would hope to go on to be a coach after I've finished playing.

You've been a full-time professional for most of your career. Have you been able to adjust to a different career since you've gone back part-time? 
Yes I really enjoyed being full-time with Drogheda, St.Pat's and in Malta with Valletta, but all that's changed now and I'm lucky to have a job as Assistant manager with Educo

Do you keep in touch with many of the  Drogheda players from previous years?

I find Twitter a great way to keep in touch especially as many of the lads are abroad nowadays, Shane Robinson & Sami Ristila in Finland, Brian Shelley in Australia, Simon Webb in Brazil, but one of my best mates is Gary "Gaz" Rogers , currently goalkeeper with Sligo Rovers. I know Gaz from way back when he was with Drogheda and also when we were both with St. Pat's. He's gone on to be the best keeper in the league, in my opinion! (you can follow Declan at @fabster9)