Providing player pathway important for Stephen Bradley

Another game and another clean sheet for Shamrock Rovers on Friday night. The 1-0 win over Finn Harps was their 23rd time this season across 43 competitive matches that they had shut out their opponents.

Harps are probably sick of the Hoops at this stage as Rovers have won all five games against Ollie Horgan’s men this year, all without conceding a goal. They are likely sick of Greg Bolger too.

Bolger got the winner in Ballybofey back in March and he did the same on Friday night as Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley had to juggle his squad due to illness, suspensions and players away on international duty. 

Pico Lopes missed his first Rovers game of the season as he was making his international debut for Cape Verde while Jack Byrne was away with the Republic of Ireland squad.  

“It was a great finish,” said Bradley about Bolger’s left foot strike 11 minutes from time that earned the Hoops all three points. “It looked like we weren’t going to score. We had that many chances but thought it might be one of those nights. Thankfully Greg came up with another great finish.”

Bradley went with a back three of Lee Grace with Danny Lafferty and Sean Kavanagh either side of last year’s Rovers player of the year. The Rovers Head Coach also named four teenagers on the bench – goalkeeper Kian Clarke (18), defenders Alex Dunne (17) and Eric Abulu (19) plus striker Danila Bogdanov (17).

“We had to play people in positions they weren’t familiar with and I think it showed at times. We gave up three really good chances to Finn Harps. That is very unlike us.

“It is vital that our young players get to see a pathway and they understand that if they work hard enough and have the ability, they can play here. Nights like tonight and throughout the season when we can get them about the squad, see how they prepare, how they act and behave around the place is all important for them.”

Neil Farrugia made his debut for Rovers and Bradley was delighted with what he brought to the team alongside the lively Dylan Watts who came back into the starting line up - part of six changes to the team that drew 0-0 in Sligo in the previous game.  

“For someone who has been out for over three and a half months, Neil (Farrugia) showed glimpses of real quality. It was great to get him on the pitch and to get him more minutes next week.”



“That is Dylan’s best game in quite the number of weeks. He was very sharp, played on the front foot and worked really hard. I thought he and Brandon Kavanagh were both really good and they give you a headache for the coming weeks.”

Ahead for the Hoops is a date with destiny and a cup final against Dundalk as Rovers look to win their 25th FAI Cup, their first in 32 years.

    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