Stephen Bradley on Aviva friendlies clashing with league fixtures: ‘I don’t think they should be allowed when there are domestic games on.’

Manchester United team lineup ahead of kick-off last Sunday in the Aviva Stadium

Manchester United team lineup ahead of kick-off last Sunday in the Aviva Stadium Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)

Last Sunday, Manchester United took on Atletic Bilbao in a sold out club friendly in the Aviva Stadium. That match took place the same day as two re-arranged league fixtures due to European commitments for Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers last week.

The attendance in Tallaght Stadium for Rovers’ 2-1 league win over Cork City was 3,419. It was their lowest for a game in Dublin 24 this season and the fewest number of fans at a league game in Tallaght since a Monday night 1-0 win over UCD last September of 2,652.

Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley, speaking to shamrockrovers.ie, outlined how he is not a fan of these friendlies.

“I don’t agree with them,” said Bradley. “I don’t think they should be allowed when there are domestic games on. I understand our games get moved because of Europe and these friendlies are set in stone a few months out and logistically it’s tough, but, as a rule going forward, I don’t think they should be allowed.”

Rovers have averaged just over 5,800 for league games in Tallaght this season.

“We all know how important gate receipts are to every club in the country. Ours have been brilliant, our fans been brilliant and it’s the August bank holiday, I get all that, but I don’t think there should be other games on when we’ve got domestic games.”

Rovers travel to Tolka Park on Friday evening to take on Shelbourne with Trevor Clarke available and Neil Farrugia close to fitness.

The Hoops have missed the attacking threat down the flanks with that duo injured and it coincided with Rovers poor recent run of results. The Hoops are still down a few bodies at the back though.

“Seán Gannon and Simon Power are back,” said Bradley discussing his squad selection. “Trevor Clarke is back; he trained this week which is great. We were told he would be out for up to 14 weeks but he’s back after seven weeks. Neil Farrugia is probably another week, likewise Lee Grace and Seán Hoare.”

 



About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile