Bradley believes international call up rich reward for hard working Hoop Danny Mandroiu

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium 

During his time as Head Coach at Shamrock Rovers, Stephen Bradley has seen four players from his squad called up for international duty with the Republic of Ireland – along with a Cape Verde debut for Roberto Lopes. 

in 2018, Graham Burke became the first League of Ireland player to score a goal for Ireland in 40 years while last year Jack Byrne was the first Ireland player to earn a competitive cap while playing domestically since 1985.

Aaron McEneff also made an Ireland squad prior to his move to Hearts and Danny Mandroiu is the latest Rovers player to be called up the boss of the Boys in Green Stephen Kenny.

Mandroiu has been excellent for the Hoops this season, scoring four goals, playing in every Rovers game of 2021 and has been a standout player following his move from Bohemians over the winter break

“I’m delighted for him because he's come in and worked extremely hard,” said Bradley about Mandroiu. “He hasn’t played a lot of football in the last 12 to 18 months. He has come here with a great attitude to work hard and he has got his reward.

“Danny has had to play a different position in the last couple of games. It shows his quality that he has slotted in there and been very good.”

Bradley was speaking after his side’s 1-0 loss to Sligo Rovers on Monday night – a defeat that saw them slip to second place in the table following their first home league loss since June 2019 as they also lost back-to-back league games for the first time in 696 days.

The Hoops Head Coach admitted that his side “we were poor at times” and while he felt the champions were unlucky to lose to Dundalk last Friday (when their record run of 33 matches in the league without a loss came to an end), he reckoned the Hoops didn’t do enough against the Bit O’ Red.

“We were very good on Friday (in Oriel Park) and should have won the game but tonight we weren’t good. We didn’t deserve to win the game.

“It is time for people to stand up and be counted. I know there are players in the dressingroom who will do that. It is just disappointing as there was nothing in the game - no real chances at either end, they were all half chances. 

“Even though we are not playing at our best we shouldn’t have lost the game. We gave away a terrible goal.”

The Hoops have missed the suspended Sean Hoare in their last two games and have had to pack the bench with teenagers (five against Sligo) and players who have yet to play in the Premier Division (four on Monday). 

As well as more long term injuries to Neil Farrugia and Sean Kavanagh, Ronan Finn and Dylan Watts missed the last two games – and Joey O’Brien had to come off injured after just eight minutes against Sligo.

“Playing quickly on the back of Friday, and not being able to make any changes, plays into the lack of chances in the game but we weren’t quite at it.

“You can’t just throw the young players in. We have to pick the right time and the right moment and we have to make sure that they are ready. We have a lot of injuries at the moment but that is no excuses. That is football. That is what competing for leagues and winning leagues is all about. 

“You are going to go through tough periods and now on the injury front we are having that tough time. We go Longford on Saturday and it is a chance for us to get three points.” 

Jim Magilton: 'They say teams reflect the manager - but if that's me then I'm in a f*cking dark place' https://t.co/D5qnKQT60Mpic.twitter.com/BNModmBQUu

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