Shane Farrell has the gears to drive Shelbourne to FAI Cup glory.
But Dan Carr joked that he would settle for the youngster getting his licence so he didn’t have to keep giving him lifts!
In Damien Duff’s eyes, Farrell has the ‘X-Factor’ to be the match winner on any occasion and is pushing to be named the club’s Player of the Year.
But the Finglas lad, 22, is also the Reds chief injury concern going into Sunday’s Aviva Stadium showdown with Derry City.
It could be mind games but, according to Duff at least, Farrell pulled up in training last week with an unspecified injury that required a scan.
And the versatile attacker has not yet been ruled in or out of the decider, although Carr knows his value if fit.
The Englishman said: “Shane’s got great ability. His technique is unbelievable and he has come on leaps and bounds. He knows his place on the team.
“He’s full of confidence and I love him. He’s funny. I drive him to training. He needs to get a licence! He can be quiet at times but he’s got a great personality.
“He’s happy all the time, always smiling, making jokes. He knows how much he means to the Shels fans, and vice-versa.
“He’s a good character. He’s quite calm but when he gets on the pitch he’s a different player. His running stats are among the highest. He loves his football.”
It has been said of Farrell that, physically, he doesn’t instantly strike you as a specimen.
And Carr laughed: “His body’s horrible! I tell him that all the time. But if you play like he’s playing, I couldn’t do it. I need my gym.
“Fair play to him. He’s got that secret strength, I like to call it. He doesn’t look strong but he can get his body in the way.
“If he carries the way he’s going, I’m sure more clubs will be after him.”
Quizzed on whether Farrell will be declared fit for the final, Carr said: “I’m not the manager but we all hope so. He’s a big part of our plans and what we’re trying to do.”
Carr, the former Shamrock Rovers striker, has made 27 league appearances this season but only eight of those were starts.
But he believes he can have a big role to play against Derry whether Duff hands him a starting shirt or not.
“Everyone has an important part and it’s not just the 11,” said Carr, who spent brief spells in Cyprus, Finland and India before returning to the league with Shels.
“There’s been loads of times this year where players have come off the bench and made very big impacts.
“I've been in football long enough to know that it’s not about the starting XI. Whether it’s the first minute, the 20th or whatever, I’ll be ready if called upon.”
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