Bolger blasts Bank Holiday weekend fixture arrangement for the Bit O’ Red

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Greg Bolger believes his team have been hard done by with the fixture list this season. The midfielder reckons his team were the better Rovers side in Tallaght on Friday and today his team must travel back up to Dublin to take on St. Patrick’s Athletic.

Over the Easter weekend, similarly Sligo Rovers had two away fixtures – a Good Friday game in Oriel Park that they won 2-1 and a 2-1 defeat in Dublin to Shelbourne.

“It is a quick turnaround as we are back in Dublin again on Monday,” said Bolger speaking pitchside after his team’s 2-1 loss to Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

“I don't know how that works. That is two Bank Holiday weekends we are up here. Having to play Friday and Monday here is a shambles. It is a disgrace really that we have to do it. The fixtures there have done us. We probably got shafted there.”

He also felt the Gods were against him when facing his former club in Dublin 24 on Friday as despite an excellent display by Sligo Rovers and despite his goal, his first in the colours of the Bit O’ Red, Sligo Rovers left Tallaght with nothing.

“Anyone watching that game tonight could tell that Shamrock Rovers were lucky that they came out with three points,” said Bolger. “You look at Shamrock Rovers and they had two chances and got two goals. That is the difference.

“Talking to a few of their lads after, they know they got away with one but they came out with the win.”

Stephen Bradley talking to extratime.com after the game called “Sligo the best side that we have played” this season. The Wyscout stats certainly reflect Bolger’s belief that the Bit O’ Red should have taken something from the game.

Possession and passing

While the Hoops have averaged 60% possession in their home games this season, Friday night was the first time this year in Tallaght that their opponents had more of the ball. The Bit O’ Red had 52% possession and had more attempts on goal than the Hoops – 14 shots (4 on target) to 9 shots (3 on target).

Sligo Rovers also outpassed the Hoops – the first time home or away an opposition has done that this year. The visitors made 400 of their 488 passes (82% complete) to the home side’s 350 from 429 (also 82%).

“We are dejected as we did so well. We played them off the park. We don't want moral victories though but we've come to Tallaght, played really well and yet come away with nothing. It is a work in progess, we have so many good players. Lads who have come in from outside the league, all great lads who want to do well.”

Young man’s game

Bolger is the elder stateman in the Bit O’ Red squad. At 34 years of age, he brings valuable experience to what he calls a “young group”. John Russell had named 16-year-old Eli Rooney on the bench in Tallaght.

“Look all across the league, bar maybe Shamrock Rovers, it is a young league now. Look at (Shamrock) Rovers, they didn't start too well but they are going to kick on. They have winners, have men but looking around the league, it is a young man's game bar myself and a few others!”

Despite his age, Bolger is top of the league stats on defensive duels, just ahead of his teammate Frank Livak. He has 11 on average per game, winning 68% (only Elicha Ahui’s 70% is higher across the league).

Russell’s Rovers

Bolger is revelling playing under his former teammate John Russell. The duo won the league at St. Patrick’s Athletic.

“John is giving us the licence to go play, setting us up in a certain way to play football. We just need to keep going, keep trusting the process and keep playing the way we are playing.

“You look at the style of football of how we play, playing through the thirds and playing out.

"He is very meticulous in what he does. He doesn't leave any stone unturned. I'd say his wife hasn't seen him in the last month or two! We are in the whole time, with video analysis.We need to be ruthless in both boxes and that is something we are working on.” 

League Preview: St. Patrick’s Athletic -v- Sligo Rovers https://t.co/6je6RYavzwpic.twitter.com/iOHShYirEW

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 30, 2023