Jack Byrne battled through illness to help Hoops recovery

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Stephen Bradley had hoped to give Jack Byrne a night off last Friday as the Republic of Ireland international is currently struggling to recover from illness. 

However, with the Hoops 2-0 down at the break to Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, Bradley brought both Byrne and Neil Farrugia on at half time to boost their attacking options.

The strength in depth at Bradley’s disposal paid off as the Hoops were able to come back to draw 2-2 and stretch their unbeaten home record in the league to 15 matches.

Illness

Non-Covid-19 illness has hit the Hoops camp in the past week or so with Alan Mannus missing the scoreless draw in Dundalk, while both Sean Gannon and Conan Noonan have also been out with sickness during this time.

“Jack has been struggling in the last week,” said Bradley when he spoke with the media pitch side on Friday. “It has been going around the camp. 

“Alan (Mannus) had it the other day, Sean Gannon has had it and one or two of the younger boys have had it too. Jack probably shouldn't have played against Bohs or Dundalk. You could see it took its toll. 

“He wasn't recovering right during the week. You want him on the pitch every minute of every game but physically it took a lot out of him. Hopefully it clears up now.

"I didn't really want to involve him tonight to be honest with you. We brought him on at half-time and he was excellent but he is shattered in there (in the dressing room).”

Shamrock Rovers have yet to win a game away from home this season, and going into the international break lie fourth place in the league table, three points behind leaders Derry City who have a game in hand over the Hoops.

Mistakes

However, Bradley has been happy with his side’s recent performances and they did dominate the play against Sligo Rovers – who are the last away team to win a league game in Tallaght (a 1-0 victory in May last season).

“I thought Monday (against Dundalk) it probably was a fair result. In Derry it had a draw written all over it until we made that rare mistake (from Pico Lopes). Tonight (against Sligo) we gave away sloppy goals but we were really good in all aspects of the game.

“It is a really frustrating one as we should be standing here with three points but we are not. We gave away a really poor goal but we should have been two or three up at that point. We found ourselves 2-0 down at half time and you are thinking how did that happen?”

Sligo Rovers’ second goal came after anl error by Barry Cotter who was deployed at left wing back last Friday. He gave the ball directly to Aidan Keena who exploited the error to put the Bit O’ Red 2-0 up (scoring his fifth goal is six games). Bradley decided to withdraw Cotter at the half time break.

“It is part of his growing and his learning,” said Bradley about Cotter’s half time substitution. “It is not nice. You don't want it to happen but that is life, that is football. We all make mistakes but it is just unfortunate that we got punished tonight. 

“He will grow from that and will learn from it and it will make him stronger over the season. I'm not going to crucify a player over a mistake. The way we play, mistakes can happen and unfortunately but we couldn't dig him out and get the win.”

Sligo Rovers manager Liam Buckley admitted that he “couldn't believe” his team were 2-0 up at half-time and Bradley had the belief that his team could get back into the match.

Buckley believes McGinty is league’s best keeper https://t.co/IlJSEpnmaJpic.twitter.com/KAz4hRjver

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“At half time we just said to the players, we are in full control, we can win this game. Just be nice and calm and do what we do and trust it and we can win this game and to be fair to them in the second half they were brilliant. 

“We should have won. We've just been told we had 27 shots and if you have that in any game you should win it. I thought second half we were really really good. We looked probably the best we have looked in a long time.”

Rovers had hoped to play a friendly game against UK opposition during the upcoming international break during which time Andy Lyons is on Ireland under-21 duty while Pico Lopes has joined up with the Cape Verde squad.

“I don't think we will play one,” was Bradley’s response when asked by extratime.com about the potential friendly match. “The teams we were looking at can't play us. One or two wanted till late in the week which we can't do with planning for the week after (when Rovers play away to Finn Harps).”

Andy Lyons honoured with u21 international link up https://t.co/v8AjmIyzt7pic.twitter.com/saa4UuYh9R

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 20, 2022