Sean Hoare wasn’t expecting to land in the eye of a viral storm the last time Shamrock Rovers faced Shelbourne.
But that’s how it played out on a tetchy night at Tolka Park last month, after the champions had drawn their fourth game in five, losing the other.
A handful of Rovers fans in the Ballybough end vented their frustration after the scoreless draw and Graham Burke appeared to be particularly irked at something said.
After returning to the good life and years of success, it wasn’t a position that Rovers fans were overly used to and tempers briefly threatened to boil over.
Hoare took it upon himself to walk over and speak directly to some supporters standing behind a gate, urging them to back the team no matter the score.
Well intentioned, but the defender had no idea the discussion was being filmed.
"I woke up to a video someone had sent me. I hadn't realised until late that there was a phone in my face,” explained the centre-back yesterday.
“I was kinda like 'I don't' need this'. But, at the same time, the feedback from it, 99% of fans were really supportive.
“They were saying 'look, it's only a small number of fans that are against you. We're all with you'.
"That was reassuring for us as a squad, to see the positive from something that was construed as a negative - a video of someone speaking to fans in that manner.”
Ahead of tonight’s home clash with Shels, Hoare continued: "People wouldn't know me for having a calm head.
"But I just wanted to reassure people that we were doing everything we can and not downing tools or anything.
"And especially after that game in Tolka. There was a pitch inspection before the game. You'd rather play in a car park, it was really bad.
“A draw was not a bad result. We had conceded four earlier that week against Cork.
“So to get a clean sheet was progress, even if it didn't look like that from the point of view that you're impatient.
“You want success straight away and they were having a go at one of the other lads and I just wanted to say 'keep it cool like, it's five games in'.
“It was more about sticking up for a team-mate as much as anything else. It was five games in. Nobody ever wins a league in March!
“But testosterone was flying in the crowd after a game like that. Not everyone is going to take it the way I wanted it to come across, but 99% of people were very positive.
"But we knew it was coming - that someone was going to get a hiding off us. It came and we've been going well since then.”
Hoare isn’t wrong in that respect. While the results weren’t there, the performances were and nobody inside the tent pressed the panic button.
Suddenly, after straight wins over Dundalk, Bohemians and UCD, the Hoops are finding their stride and sit third in the table.
Hoare has been central to those victories and continues to show why manager Stephen Bradley was so keen to sign him when he left St Pat’s for Dundalk in 2017.
Not that Hoare regrets his decision to snub the Hoops and join Dundalk at the time, considering they were the kingpins and he won two league crowns.
Bradley said yesterday: “Sean is a leader in how he plays. In the dressing room before games, he's not a shouter but when he talks, people listen.
“When he crosses the white line he becomes a different person. We used to not like playing against him, he was very difficult to play against with the press.
“We never liked that when we played Dundalk. We always tried to keep the ball away from him.
“To have that strength in your team, it means when teams press you, you know you have the quality to cut them open with one pass or one step. That's what he brings.”
When Bradley’s comments about being calm are put to Hoare, he sits back and chuckles to himself.
“I am on the pitch but my family would have a completely different view of me! Look, I’m passionate and I wouldn’t change it,” he said.
“It’s probably why I’ve won a few things (five league titles, three FAI Cups, four league cups and two European group stage campaigns) because I want to win.
“Off the pitch I’m completely different and so laid back I’m almost horizontal. But I wouldn't change the way I am.”
READ MORE
- Robbie Keane pictured with disgraced former FAI boss John Delaney and Luis Figo in London
- Louth GAA thank US President Joe Biden and Ireland legend Rob Kearney for supporting new stadium venture
- Bravemansgame not permitted to run at Aintree after FCA intervention
- Surprise as Croke Park not part of FAI's Euro 2028 bid
- Rory McIlroy: Possible ramifications for missing RBC Heritage
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
