The SSE Airtricity League came to a stunning climax on November 1st this year.
With Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne neck and neck on the final night, both sides needed to secure wins in order to clinch the top prize and be crowned Premier Division champions.
The dramatic ending to the season came in the 85th minute of the showdown between Shelbourne and Derry City when Sean Boyd stepped up to take a free kick just outside Derry’s box. Keeper Brian Maher managed to get a hand on the ball, stopping the shot, however it would be scooped up by striker Harry Wood, who had only been on the field just over 10 minutes.
Despite Shamrock Rovers defeating the Blues 2 goals to 1 at Tallaght stadium, Wood’s goal was enough to secure victory for Shells.
Among the winning 11 that night was Waterford native and Mount Sion Alumnus Paddy Barrett.
Barrett started his professional football in Scotland, playing for Aberdeen under 20s.
He would then make the move to Dundee under 20s before being called up to the senior team in 2013.
However, Paddy’s hometown of Waterford called on him and he made hisway across the Irish Sea that summer, to play for the blues.
Paddy would spend the next few years playing for several clubs across the League of Ireland with clubs such as Galway, Dundalk & St. Pats.
Since January of 2023 Paddy has found a home for himself in Tolka Park among the starting line-up for Shelbourne.
Among his numerous achievements for the club, Paddy found himself among the starting 11 for the final night of the 2024 SSE Airtricity League.
The number 29 stood by his teammate Sean Boyd as the free kick was swung in and watched as Harry Wood secured the top prize for Shells.
“How it happened makes it that little bit more special, it’s an unbelievable feeling for sure,” Barrett said, speaking to WLR Sport.
Despite the deafening roar of the crowd, the time ticking away, and the goalscorer Wood celebrating as he swung his shirt over his head, Barrett was determined to keep his head in the game for however long was left.
“I’m thinking, how long is left and we need to win this game. I think that’s the defender’s mindset I have.
I didn’t think straight away about winning the league I just thought ‘Can we win this game’. We cannot concede now.”
It was that mindset that helped Shelbourne keep the ball out of their net and saw them clinch the top prize after 98 grueling minutes of play.
With Shelbourne now the 2024 SSE Airticity League champions, and emotions running high, Paddy has taken the time to appreciate what the tin means to him and his team.
“Of course we’re all on a high. There are rare moments in life where these things happen and so you have to enjoy it when they come, you can’t just brush it under the carpet”
The new season will get underway in February 2025 however, before then Paddy is enjoying some well-deserved downtime.
“For sure I’ll be enjoying some downtime, we’re heading away on a family holiday, I’ll be up and down from Waterford to Dublin and over to Mayo,
but I’m also looking forward to getting back already.”
Shelbourne Defender and Waterford native Paddy Barrett celebrating after the full-time whistle
The full interview with Paddy Barrett will be broadcast on The Saturday Sports Pod, later today.
For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.
