Darragh Nugent on Shamrock Rovers’ title hopes: 'We do believe it can be done'

Darragh Nugent at the launch of EA Sports' FC 25

Darragh Nugent at the launch of EA Sports' FC 25 Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Darragh Nugent has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Shamrock Rovers this season and wants to ensure it is one to remember.

The 23-year-old spent time on loan at Longford Town and Drogheda United in recent seasons before earning boss Stephen Bradley’s trust at Tallaght Stadium to get his chance this season.

And he has got his opportunity to play this term, featuring 23 times in the Premier Division and a further six times in European qualifiers in the Champions League and Europa League.

Rovers are also beginning to find their groove having defeated Sligo Rovers at home (4-1) and Galway United away (2-1) last weekend to keep their slim title hopes alive.

The Hoops are now just eight points behind leaders Shelbourne with seven games to play.

But with a mammoth weekend in store which includes games against Derry City on Friday and Bohemians on Monday, Nugent and Co can ill-afford to look past anyone at this critical juncture.

“It's going to be a tough game up there (against Derry),” Nugent told extratime.com at the launch of EA FC 25. “It always is but we'll go up there looking to get three points and hopefully we can kick on between now and the end of the season.

“We wanted to have done better in the league to date this season but as a group we will always believe until the last game that we can still do it. 

“We'll stick together and face it head on. We're still confident.”

But regardless, this has been a big season for Nugent who has emerged as an important player in Dublin 24.



Previously viewed as a fringe player, injuries have granted the midfielder a route into the Shamrock Rovers XI and he has taken his chance.

“I'm 23 now and I've obviously done one or two loans, so I've probably played the most this year since I've been at Shamrock Rovers,” Nugent adds. “I’ve been enjoying it. 

“I've been working hard and staying patient while waiting for my opportunity. It's been great. I was at Longford for six months (in 2021) and I had a good loan there. 

“I then went to Drogheda for a full season under Kevin Doherty and Daire Doyle and played loads of games. I got more experience but I wanted to always come back to Shamrock Rovers and try to get in the team.”

While Rovers’ title hopes are slim at best, they do have the bonus of having six more European games to play - with a glamour tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in store on December 19 in the Conference League.

It is a tie that has most certainly whetted the appetite for Nugent who is a Chelsea fan, along with his family.



“Well, funnily enough, I've actually grown up a Chelsea fan,” he revealed. “I've only been over once to Stamford Bridge and my whole family would be Chelsea fans.

“When that tie came through, it was obviously great for us. So we're all looking forward to it. It will be a good experience at Stamford Bridge from being a fan watching it and to hopefully, you know, get to experience it as a player.”

But before he can even think of that, there are a number of league and European matches to be played.

There is also the possibility of a fifth league title in a row on offer.

“We do believe it can be done with seven games to go,” Nugent said on Rovers’ title ambitions. “If we win all seven, who knows where we will end up.

“Hopefully it's enough. You’d probably prefer it if we did it another way but I'm sure if we do, they will talk about it as a great comeback. We believe in the squad. 

“There’s seven games to go and we’ll just face these games as they come.”

Win For The Club as EA SPORTS FC announces the return of the League of Ireland to FC 25! Featuring the individual club crest of all 10 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division teams, these exclusive sleeves will be available to download free from https://www.ea.com/fc25 when the game launches worldwide Friday, September 27th! 

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