Ronan Finn - 'We have been building over the last four years and we aren't there yet either'

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Last year Ronan Finn became the first Shamrock Rovers captain to lift the FAI Cup in 32 years and the expectation is that he will soon be lifting Rovers’ first league trophy since 2011 later this month. 

Finn scored the opening goal in Friday’s 4-0 win for the Hoops over Sligo Rovers that left them 11 points clear at the top of the table and mathematically requiring five points from their final four game to secure the title.

The superior goal difference means effectively only four points are required and it could be less if Bohemians drop points away to Shelbourne on Saturday evening. 

“The beauty of playing tonight is that we can put a bit of pressure on Bohs going into their game,” said Finn speaking after Rovers’ sixth win in a row in domestic action during which they have scored 20 times and conceded just two goals.

“We are going well. We’ve got job done tonight and can take a bit of time off, rest, recover and go again.”

They may get some extra rest as their next game against Finn Harps looks set to be rescheduled. “We don’t play potentially for a couple of weeks with international callups looking like it will affect the Finn Harps game next week.” 

Finn has been reinvented as a wing back with Shamrock Rovers over the last 12 months or so which has blunted his goalscoring. His strike against Sligo was his first goal for the Hoops since May 2019, his 41st goal for Rovers in 192 league appearances for Rovers.

“It has been a long time coming for me so good to get that monkey off my back. Hopefully I might get another couple before the end of the season. 



“In these games you need the first goal to go in, it settles us and makes them come out and play a bit more which leaves gaps at the back. For Jack’s pass for the second goal (scored by Graham Burke) it really opens the game up and at 2-0 it is a position we shouldn’t be dropping points.”

Two more wins will secure that league title irrespective of other results and, with only four games remaining, the Hoops could go through the shortened 2020 league campaign undefeated. 

“We have been building over the last four years. It has been a project. It was never going to happen overnight and we aren’t there yet either. We still have games to finish off. 

“Winning the cup last year was huge. It has given us that confidence. We have silverware to show for our efforts. We are getting there. Another couple of games to go.”

    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