Stephen Bradley: ‘It's a nice run to be on as it breeds confidence’

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Having endured an eight game spell of seven defeats and a draw against Bohemians, Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley was delighted with the 2-1 win over the Gypsies on Friday night. It was Rovers’ fifth win in a row in the Dublin Derby against Bohs and stretches Rovers unbeaten league run to 29 matches.

The last ten league derbies have had a winning margin of just one goal (along with one draw) and in Tallaght Stadium once again there was very little between the sides in what was a very open match.

“It is great for the fans and it is a nice run to be on as it breeds confidence and you have that belief going into games,” said Rovers boss Bradley about the win over Bohs. “They are always difficult games, always tight games. I don’t see that changing any time soon. I’m delighted with the win.”

It was a hectic opening 45 minutes with Bohs bringing real attacking intent to Tallaght with the action going end to end with Dylan Watts getting on the end of a fine passing move to score after five minutes following Aaron Greene's effort coming off the post. 

It was a highly entertaining first half, but Bradley felt it was too entertaining as his side were sloppy in the transition between attacking and defending and they were caught out after Ross Tierney headed home on 20 minutes after a fine passage of play from the visitors.

“It was entertaining but too entertaining from our view point. We were too open. Because we are so attacking if we leave ourselves open in transition, you can get hurt very quickly and we did tonight. 

“I thought in the first half some of our attacking play was of a really high quality - some of our best all year - and we should have scored two or three goals. 

“There was some really good play, attacking wise in the first half. Graham (Burke), Aaron Greene and Danny (Mandroiu) all had chances inside the box and should have scored. 

“We were too open in transition, gave up too many chances. Second half it was a different game. As we corrected our transitions, we maybe went too deep in the second half and as a result we couldn’t press the ball where we wanted to.” 

Bohs have some justification for complaint around the James Finnerty’s penalty concession 15 minutes from time which also cost them a red card but the Hoops boss had a firm opinion on the incident that gave Rovers the win after Graham Burke converted the spot kick. “It is a penalty and a red card. 100%.”

The Hoops victory kept them level on points with St. Patrick’s Athletic, who moved top of the table on goal difference, and extended Rovers’ unbeaten record in the league. A win in Finn Harps next week will see the Hoops equal the league record of 30 matches without a loss – a feat last managed back in the 1927.

“We are unbeaten in 29 games. It is an incredible record and the most games unbeaten in nearly 100 years.” 

League Report: Shamrock Rovers 2 - 1 Bohemians https://t.co/wU6E7MfLRbpic.twitter.com/mRAzrEquXT

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 23, 2021