THE REACTION AT full-time, as Stephen Bradley and his players soaked up the applause of the Shamrock Rovers fans on the far side of Tallaght Stadium, spoke volumes of the importance of last night’s result for the Hoops.
After a stuttering start to the campaign, Rovers knew this was already must-win territory and Bradley had admitted in the build-up that his side had a point to prove; boy, did they deliver.
The hosts outplayed and outmuscled Dundalk to all but derail the champions’ title defence and give their season the shot in the arm it so desperately needed after four wins, a draw and six defeats from the first series of fixtures.
Ronan Finn, outstanding against his former club, set the tone early on with a clever finish from the right side of the box before David McAllister’s header doubled Rovers’ advantage.
Dundalk did pull one back through Niclas Vemmelund but it came too late for Stephen Kenny’s men, who were off the pace and second best in nearly every area of the pitch.
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Speaking afterwards, Bradley said he felt a performance like that was coming from his side but once again downplayed expectations insisting it will take time for us to see the best of this Rovers side.
“I know people have been on our case from outside, we’re dropping points, we’re this and that, but I know what I have in that dressing room and it is a new group so it’s going to take time,” he said.
“Even though we’ve won, there’s still better to come from them there really is. The longer we’re together the better we’ll see of them.
Stephen Bradley during last night's game. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“I don’t get carried away with it, it’s a win but I’ve been saying it when we’ve been losing games. We’re not a million miles away here, people outside are getting carried away and talking nonsense in my opinion saying we should be challenging for leagues.
“We’ve been together four months like and people need to recognise where we’re trying to go as a group and as a team and be patient. Teams like this don’t happen overnight and I think that’s the problem with Irish football. We want things to happen tomorrow.”
Bradley added that his team are still a long way off meeting the standards set by John Caulfield’s Cork this term: “We’re still a bit away from it, you can see it, it’s clear we’re still a bit away from Cork. They’re flying it at the minute so we’ve still so much to catch up on them but I know what I have in that dressing room and if we keep adding the right players as we go they will be a team down the line.
“We’re still very, very young, it’s not an excuse because we won the game, it’s facts like. It’s going to take time. Whether we win the game like we did last night or lose I don’t get too excited or press any panic buttons. It’s a win and we move onto next week and we’ll try to win that game.”
Next week, of course, is another huge game as Rovers make the trip across the Liffey to Dalymount Park for a Dublin derby against arch rivals Bohemians.
“It’s a great game to go into off this because sometimes when you play big games like this and you win them, the next week can be a bit flat because all the adrenaline and it’s not a big game but it doesn’t get much better than that.”
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'I think that's the problem with Irish football. We want things to happen overnight'
THE REACTION AT full-time, as Stephen Bradley and his players soaked up the applause of the Shamrock Rovers fans on the far side of Tallaght Stadium, spoke volumes of the importance of last night’s result for the Hoops.
After a stuttering start to the campaign, Rovers knew this was already must-win territory and Bradley had admitted in the build-up that his side had a point to prove; boy, did they deliver.
The hosts outplayed and outmuscled Dundalk to all but derail the champions’ title defence and give their season the shot in the arm it so desperately needed after four wins, a draw and six defeats from the first series of fixtures.
Ronan Finn, outstanding against his former club, set the tone early on with a clever finish from the right side of the box before David McAllister’s header doubled Rovers’ advantage.
Dundalk did pull one back through Niclas Vemmelund but it came too late for Stephen Kenny’s men, who were off the pace and second best in nearly every area of the pitch.
Speaking afterwards, Bradley said he felt a performance like that was coming from his side but once again downplayed expectations insisting it will take time for us to see the best of this Rovers side.
“I know people have been on our case from outside, we’re dropping points, we’re this and that, but I know what I have in that dressing room and it is a new group so it’s going to take time,” he said.
“Even though we’ve won, there’s still better to come from them there really is. The longer we’re together the better we’ll see of them.
“I don’t get carried away with it, it’s a win but I’ve been saying it when we’ve been losing games. We’re not a million miles away here, people outside are getting carried away and talking nonsense in my opinion saying we should be challenging for leagues.
“We’ve been together four months like and people need to recognise where we’re trying to go as a group and as a team and be patient. Teams like this don’t happen overnight and I think that’s the problem with Irish football. We want things to happen tomorrow.”
Bradley added that his team are still a long way off meeting the standards set by John Caulfield’s Cork this term: “We’re still a bit away from it, you can see it, it’s clear we’re still a bit away from Cork. They’re flying it at the minute so we’ve still so much to catch up on them but I know what I have in that dressing room and if we keep adding the right players as we go they will be a team down the line.
Next week, of course, is another huge game as Rovers make the trip across the Liffey to Dalymount Park for a Dublin derby against arch rivals Bohemians.
“It’s a great game to go into off this because sometimes when you play big games like this and you win them, the next week can be a bit flat because all the adrenaline and it’s not a big game but it doesn’t get much better than that.”
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Huge night in title race as Cork City stretch lead to 14 points and Dundalk drop to third
Finn comes back to haunt Dundalk as Shamrock Rovers inflict more misery on champions
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SSE Airtricity League Premier Division League of Ireland LOI Patience Springboard Stephen Bradley Shamrock Rovers