“Delighted,” was Stephen Bradley’s succinct reaction after his side’s 7-0 trouncing of UCD in the latest SSE Airtricity League match at the Tallaght Stadium. "It’s a tricky game after the high of Thursday night,” said Bradley but, “we approached th
“Delighted,” was Stephen Bradley’s succinct reaction after his side’s 7-0 trouncing of UCD in the latest SSE Airtricity League match at the Tallaght Stadium.
"It’s a tricky game after the high of Thursday night,” said Bradley but, “we approached the game very well and won quite comfortably.”
“It gave us a chance to get good minutes into certain players,” declared Bradley of the involvement of the likes of Aaron McEneff, who is returning from an injury lay-off. Most observers felt that McAneff scored Rovers’ second goal but Bradley cleared that one up. “Dan’s (Carr) adamant it was his goal. He’s claiming it, yeah.”
The four goal salvo by Bradleys’ charges in the opening quarter left the outcome in no doubt. “We spoke about that before the game – to start right. The longer it goes and it’s nil-all, they grow into the game. We spoke about dominating from the start and we did that. We needed to start the first fifteen, twenty very quick and put them on the back foot and thankfully the goals came and it settled us.”
McAneff did get on the scoresheet early in the second half when he slotted home Rovers fifth. “Aaron was eager to score – he was in the box at every opportunity. It was great to get him back on the pitch. Today he gets a good ninety minutes under his belt. He’s a big player for us.”
Mid-season break recruit Graham Cummins opened his Rovers account with a 13th minute strike to set Rovers on the way to their easy victory. “He’s done well since he came in, Graham. He’s had some half-chances. We felt today was a good game for him to get off the mark and thankfully he did.”
One player was only on the pitch for less than an hour but midfield Jack Byrne delivered another virtuoso performance, which included a fine strike for Rovers fourth goal. “It was a great finish, good feet in the box, twisted the defender and obviously finished it. Delighted for him.”
A Tallaght record equalled and a significant boost to the goal difference column. The latter pleased the Hoops supremo no end. “That could be really important before the end of the season.”
