Ahead of the final match of the UEFA Conference League Stage, Stephen Bradley spoke to shamrockrovers.ie
Tickets remain on sale for the tie.
We suffered a disappointing Conference League defeat last Thursday, losing 3-1 to Breidablik despite going ahead through Graham Burke. What’s your reflection on the defeat a week on?
“It’s really frustrating for us, I felt we were in full control of the game. As I said after the game with the media, we came away from what was really working and that hurt us and ultimately cost us the game.”
While “what ifs” are usually pointless after a defeat, was the almost immediate concession of the equaliser to Breidablik a critical moment in the game as we deserved to be in front at that stage?
“Most definitely. You know in any game, but especially in Europe, the first few minutes after you score are crucial. We’re an experienced team and we know that so we were sloppy in that moment. It cost us.”
The defeat ends our hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Conference League. We had a tougher group than last year, so is it again a good learning curve for the group to take into European football in 2026?
“It is, definitely. It’s all a good learning experience, there’s no doubt about that. But let’s be clear, we had ambitions to go and qualify, there’s no point in hiding away from that. Yes, the group was tougher, but that’s Europe, it’s fine. But I still believe we could and should have qualified. We haven’t, so we need to learn from that and make sure we’re better for it.”
So, to tomorrow’s final opponents, Hamrun Spartans, they have one win and four defeats in the league phase. What can we expect from Hamrun?
“Hamrun have been good in all their games. We’ve watched their games and they’ve been in their games, their attacking threats are really good. Their front three are really quick, powerful and a real threat. When you look at their results and watch the games, they’ve been in all the games. So it’ll be tough game, as Breidablik was and Hamrun will be a tough game.”
Tomorrow also marks our final game of the 2025 season, ten months on from playing Molde in our first competitive game of the year. Despite the exhausting nature of those ten months, would you take that every season?
“Yes, it’s brilliant. It’s difficult at times, mentally and physically for everyone, but that’s why we’re in the game. We want this every year, so it’s not something you complain about. You learn, adapt and it makes you stronger. We’ve been doing that and we need to keep rolling with it, it’s why we’re in the game. We want to be playing deep into December, it means we’re being successful. This year has been the most successful we’ve ever had. So it shows we’re learning and adapting and getting better for it. So we just need to stay on that road.”
How much are the players keen to send our fans home tomorrow in our last game of the season on a winning note?
“To be fair, I think we owe it to them. I think the fans have been incredible, in every way, but especially in Europe. They’ve travelled far and wide, put their hands in their pockets on so many occasions and we really appreciate that. It will be our aim tomorrow to send them into Christmas with three points.”
We’ve all had a few weeks to reflect on a domestic double, our first in 38 years. We can all be hugely proud of the team’s achievements this year.
“Yes we can and as I said, it’s been the most successful year we’ve had in a long, long time as a team and a club. It shows we’re getting better and stronger. Domestic doubles don’t happen too often so it was a special year domestically. Europe at times was really special, but we now need to really home in on the detail of what happened throughout the season and make sure we come back in pre-season, better in all aspects. Better as staff and better as a Manager and better as a team. What we did this year won’t be enough next year and we need to understand that. They’re the realities of top level sport and we’ve got to be ready for that. We know we’re a target for everyone next year and to be ready for that too.”
Who’s unavailable for tomorrow’s game?
“Josh Honohan, Danny Mandroiu, Aaron McEneff and Lee Grace are all out injured, everyone else is available.”
