Stephen Bradley - 'I knew Tuesday would catch up with us in the second half"

Shamrock Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night and manager Stephen Bradley felt their midweek Cup exertions against Dundalk hampered the team.

The Hoops went toe-to-toe with the champions for 120 minutes, eventually losing out 4-2 after extra time, as their wait for an FAI Cup win was extended to 31 years and counting.

And the Rovers manager thought that Tuesday night’s game played a big part in why the Hoops did not walk away with all three points, with The Bit o’ Red grabbing a vital point in the last 15 minutes.

“I thought first half we were excellent,” Bradley told reporters after the game.

“We talked about starting the game really well and I thought if we did that we could put the game to bed at half time cause I knew Tuesday would catch up with us in the second half.

“It could have been four by half time. We didn’t put them away and it was evident in the second half that there was tiredness, and it was a good free kick [for Sligo to equalise].”

Donelon free kick grabbed a share of the spoils for the Bit o’ Red as they still battle for survival with Derry and Drogheda to come in their last two games.

“I want third. We to try and close that gap. I know nothing really changes but we want third and I have said this all year,” said Bradley.

The Hoops are guaranteed Europe next season after Bray’s defeat away to Dundalk. Rovers have played one game fewer than Derry City, who could go third with a win in Cork on Monday.

Hoops midfielder Paul Corry has announced he is to retire at the end of the season after spending the majority of his spell with the Hoops sidelined with constant knee injuries.

Corry signed at the beginning of the season after his persistent injuries saw him released by Northampton Town.

“It’s a very hard one with Paul,” Bradley said.

“He has worked ever so hard to get himself back the day we trained he actually walked off and I knew that was him done.

“It’s so difficult for him he’s still very young it’s a big loss to the squad but it’s probably best for Paul to walk away.”

Striker Gary Shaw has eleven so far this season and Bradley was very keen to comment on his recent goalscoring exploits.

“It was really like ourplay in the first half. We looked dangerous going forward, Miele did very well to get by the full-back and get a cross in for Shaw to score.

“When he hasn’t scored he has caused havoc for defences – he is a nightmare to play against. I think Gary will make sure his goals will go up either way.

“Sean Boyd, Michael O’Connor - we have some good strikers. Sean has struggled with injury all year and Michael has been in and out because Gary has been so good.”