Stephen Bradley makes decision on Shamrock Rovers future as thrilling title race goes to the wire

Stephen Bradley is ready to stay on as Shamrock Rovers manager as he wants to make the Hoops better.

Rovers will win an historic five league crowns in-a-row if they beat Waterford at home tonight and Shelbourne drop points in Derry.

Bradley was in charge for each of those titles and doesn’t turn 40 until later this month, having taken charge back in 2016.

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But asked yesterday if he was on board for 2025, Bradley said: “Yeah. It’s to try and win a league first and then try and qualify for the knockout phase in Europe.

“Hopefully we get a little holiday in there at some point for the players. The off-season could be very short, three weeks. Then it’s a quick turnaround to the new season.”

And Bradley added: “That’s my focus - to try and win the league, qualify for knock-out, then go away at Christmas, reflect on this season, and make sure we’re better next season.”

Win, lose or draw, Bradley will raise a glass of red wine on Friday night in a nod to the season that was.

Not that it ends here, of course, as Shamrock Rovers still have the Conference League knockout stages in their sights, and a date with TNS looming next Thursday.

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That would see their 2024 campaign run into 2025, but it’s all part of Bradley’s plan, even if the league season hasn’t panned out quite as he had envisaged.

How could it when four-in-a-row champions Shamrock Rovers were at one stage 15-points off the pace, and 13-points adrift at the start of September.

Stephen Bradley and Damien Duff share a word before the Shelbourne-Shamrock Rovers clash at Tolka Park
(Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)

At various points in the season, Bradley has mentioned knowing where exactly his team has fallen short at times, but stressed yesterday wasn’t the time to get into it

How could it be when Rovers haven’t always been at their best, yet are the bookies favourites in a two-horse race even though Shels have it in their own hands tonight.

“This genuinely feels like our normal week since we've started in Europe,” said Bradley yesterday, cutting a relaxed figure ahead of a showdown night.

“Every time we've played, people are saying ‘it's a big game, a big game’ but it’s no different. I'm not trying to downplay it, I know it's the last day of the season but we don't feel any different. That's experience over time - you become really familiar with these types of games so let’s just roll into it and see what happens.

“It's enjoyable because I'd much rather be sitting here with everything on the line tonight, than sitting here and we're fifth or fourth and the season has just finished.”

Whether or not Rovers expected to be in this promising position is besides the point, because this is the reality facing them.

Shamrock Rovers head coach Stephen Bradley celebrates after the win against Larne
(Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

Still, Bradley admits that when Rovers were at one stage 15-points behind Shelbourne, finishing the season as champions was looking highly unlikely.

“You're thinking if (Shels and Derry) go on a run you're dead, but they didn't and we did. The momentum was with us, so I knew we were in it then,” he said.

“I’ve always said we’ll end up where we deserve to end up. If we beat Waterford and things happen, we have a chance. But if things happen and we don't beat Waterford, we don't deserve to win it. If Shels do their business and we don't, hats off to them. We’ll have a glass of wine tonight and then get ready for Thursday.”

But Bradley has credited Shels boss - and former Rovers coach - Damien Duff with helping to improve him as a manager. And he feels the Ireland legend has been a driving force in raising the profile of the League of Ireland in general.

Bradley said: “We talk to each other the odd time during the season, but leading up to games like this, I never talk to managers in the week leading up to games. He’s been brilliant for Shelbourne and the league. Anyone that can get anyone speaking about our league, especially in a positive sense, is a good thing.

“There's been different challenges for me as a manager in terms of development, from trying to catch John (Caulfield) and Stephen (Kenny). Then you get there and you're the team that sets the standard for a long time, but different types of managers come into the league and change it.

“Younger ones have come in and added new ideas. Then you have John back up with Galway and having an incredible season, Stephen has come back in with Pat's and I’m sure they’d be right there with three more games.”

Bradley added: “If you have the same people every week and every year there's no change in how they play, it can get stale very easily. (Damien Duff) has challenged me, but it’s made me better.”

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