Lopes loving full time football

Roberto Lopes made the big switch from the red and black side of Dublin to the green and white side over the winter. Going from Bohemians to Shamrock Rovers has meant the move from part-time to full time football and it is something that the 24-year-old player is relishing as he explained to extratime.ie this week.

 

“I’m used to working so last year I couldn’t really fully focus on football,” said Lopes. “I was working nine to five and then I was off rushing to training and trying to get my head focussed on that.

 

“This year I can take my time. It is totally football. It is great and I’m loving it. It allows me to give it the time that it deserves.”

 

Lopes is part of the Rovers squad that is now training at the club’s new academy facilities at Roadstone Sports Centre in Kingswood. While the Hoops youth teams have been playing out of there for the last couple of seasons, now all Rovers’ teams are based there. The first team squad have made the permanent move from training at the AUL Complex adjacent to Dublin Airport to the new expanded academy facility in Kingswood.

 

“We were on the new astro for the first time last Wednesday,” said Lopes about about the new facility just opened at Roadstone. “It is brilliant, they have really done a good job.”

 



Part of Rovers’ pre-season was also spent in Spain where they had a five day training camp, which culminated in a match against Korean club Gwangju that Stephen Bradley’s men won 2-1.

 

“It was fantastic from every aspect,” said the Crumlin native about the trip to Spain. “Good weather and we had some good sessions. We had a great game against the Korean side. We dug it out and showed a bit of character after going a goal behind.” 

 

 



“Pre-season has gone really well. I feel like I’ve really settled in. Everyone has made me feel really welcome. In terms of the training, it has been top class. The standard is really good – the standard of coaching has been above my estimation.

 

“The time spent with the lads on that trip, being able to bond is invaluable. It will stand to us going forward. There is a big mix at the club including a lot of young lads. You are having meals with everyone, going to play pool, FIFA and chilling with everyone. Being able to spend that time together goes a long way.”

 

The players spent time with the fans last Friday night when the club hosted a football table quiz in the 1899 Suite in Tallaght Stadium. Each of the 27 tables had either a player or member of the coaching staff as part of their team.

 

“A lot of questions were pre-1992 which was the year I was born, so I struggled I have to say! We did all right – we didn’t finish last anyway! It was a good group of lads I was with. Being able to mingle with the fans was great. I was able to put names to faces. The lads on my team will be my best mates in the stands now!”

 

There will no doubt be more difficult questions coming Lopes’ way over the next couple of weeks with the fixture list throwing up Rovers’ first game away to Dundalk and then home to his old club Bohemians.

 

Lopes spent six seasons at Dalymount Park, wracking up 140 league appearances and was a firm Bohs fans favourite. He was the 2015 Gypsy Player of the Year and scored the winner for Bohs the last time the teams met. Any player who moves across this Dublin derby divide comes in for stick as Luke Byrne and Tony Grant can testify to.

 

“I don’t want to look too far into the future as Dundalk is first and we will address the next game after. That game (against Bohs) will be heated enough!

 

“Since we came in on day one we have been focussed on Dundalk in the first game. This is how we are going to go about our business. We are buzzing to get started as we have been in pre-season for a while and it is so tough.”

 

 

The Hoops have played five pre-season games so far, winning them all. Last Sunday they defeated a Leeds United under 23 side 3-1 at Tallaght (see match report here).  Lopes lined out in midfield playing in front of Rovers back four.

 

“I enjoy the midfield. It is a great battle in there. I had quality players around me which makes my job a lot easier.

 

“It shows a winning mentality and it is about making winning a habit,” said Lopes about the matches played so far in 2016. “Results aren’t too important, it is really all about the performance and how the teams plays on the pitch.

 

“It shows the togetherness in the squad. We want to bring what we’ve done in pre-season into the season.”

 

Rovers’ first competitive game is next Saturday afternoon when the play away to Thomastown United in the Leinster Senior Cup – a trophy that Lopes picked up with Bohemians last season when he scored twice in the final against Wexford. Their final game before the league kicks off is against Cliftonville at Tallaght Stadium news Sunday.

 

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile