Stephen Bradley: ‘It shows their mentality and their hunger’

Macdara Ferris reports from the Shamrock Rovers Academy 

On Sunday morning it was the busiest the Shamrock Rovers Academy at Roadstone had been all year.

The first team squad were gathering ahead of training on the eve of their game against Waterford but also Rovers’ junior teams were back now that coronavirus restrictions allow – with the adjacent Pitch and Putt course welcoming golfers back too this week.

Sadly it will be another behind-closed-doors game in Tallaght Stadium tomorrow as the Hoops stand on the cusp of League of Ireland history. Friday night’s 2-0 win in Finn Park meant Rovers equalled the all-time league record of 30 games unbeaten – a record set by another Hoops side way back in 1927.

Stephen Bradley’s team are unbeaten in the league since September 2019 with their record standing ahead of Monday’s visit of Waterford as P30 W24 D6 L0 F64 A12.

“That is important,” responded Bradley when extratime.com put that breakdown to him. “It could be half and half or maybe even more draws but this group deserves tremendous credit for that. 

“It shows their mentality, their hunger and how they approach each game – going to win it. It is fantastic record and please God we can create a bit of history tomorrow and go and win the game. It is special. There is a reason it hasn’t been done. All credit to these players and those who were here with us and helped and now have left.”

Hospital

The Hoops Head Coach had to re-jig his defence last Friday in Finn Park after Pico Lopes, rather than spending the evening playing in Donegal, spent the night in St. James’ Hospital. 

“He went to see Dr. Alan Byrne at lunchtime [on Friday] with stomach pain and as a precaution he was driving up to Finn Harps but ended up having to take a U-turn and heading to hospital. We were worried it was an appendicitis and he might need an operation. Thankfully he is out of hospital, feeling better and is in today cleared to train.”

It meant Joey O’Brien was drafted back into the team having been out injured since the very first game of the season.  

“He shouldn’t really have played to be honest. He is doing rehab with the physio but in terms of team training it was nine minutes he got with us in the last six weeks. With Pico ending up in hospital, it was a last minute change.

"It shows the type of player and man Joey is. He hasn’t done a tap in six weeks and he gets 75 minutes and he doesn’t miss a beat in the game. It sums him up.”

Set pieces

With the departure of Jack Byrne from Rovers in the close season, Dylan Watts has the role of taking corners and free kicks and his two frees provided the assists for goal from Rory Gaffney and Sean Hoare – Watts now has four assists to go with his goals against Dundalk and Bohemians.

He has played in the last 33 competitive games for the Hoops (including the President's Cup) - not missing a match in the last two seasons.

“Dylan’s performances have been brilliant. The most pleasing thing is his work rate for the team. His ability is unquestionable but his desire and work rate has been fantastic. 

“His set piece delivery nine times out of ten is on the money. We have to hit our zones and hit our lanes and we should be scoring more from set plays as the delivery is so good. Hopefully we can capitalise on that in the rest of the season.”

Rory Gaffney was the beneficiary of Harps ‘keeper Mark McGinley and David Webster not dealing with Watt’s free kick on 74 minutes with Sean Hoare firing home a header off a whipped Watts set piece seven minutes later – his first goal for the club.

“He has slotted in and looked so at home in what we do,” said Bradley about Hoare. “He has been excellent. He is so dangerous in the air. He should have a few more goals from set plays. He scored in Finn Harps and hopefully that is the start for him.”

First round of fixtures

The Bank Holiday Monday set of fixtures represent the final game in the first series of matches in the league this season and Bradley believes there is definite room for improvement from his side. They currently sit level on points with league leader St. Patrick’s Athletic with the Saints top of the table thanks to a better goal difference of two compared with Rovers.

“We know that the first quarter of the season is always really tight and competitive. It is about getting points on the board. We know that we’ve got a few levels yet to go. It is nice knowing that. You’d be worried if it was the other way around and you were searching for points.

“The aim was always to get points on the board while we were settling in. Performances each week have improved and we will only get stronger as the season goes on. We will only see the best of this team from midseason.” 

Joey O’Brien: ‘Don’t get beat, clean sheet, three points and roll onto the next one”https://t.co/rjGYrUimjZpic.twitter.com/w83PIht5Qs

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) May 2, 2021