Shamrock Rovers Head Coach Stephen Bradley was content with his team’s second six-goal success in a row. “Derry are a good side and have shown us that over the past few seasons, last season especially. To go and beat them like we did, I was very pl
Shamrock Rovers Head Coach Stephen Bradley was content with his team’s second six-goal success in a row.
“Derry are a good side and have shown us that over the past few seasons, last season especially. To go and beat them like we did, I was very pleased. I can’t fault the performance. We defended well and going forward, we’ll score goals because of the players we have in the team.”
Bradley is delighted that his charges are now going for the jugular in games. “We spoke about it pre-season when we were away. When you have a team on the ropes you go and finish them. We hadn’t done that. We’ve started adding it to our game and hopefully it continues.”
Graham Burke became the first Rovers player to hit four since Stephen Geoghegan back in 1992. Although Bradley would have been just as pleased if the ex-Aston Villa man had conserved energy and not chased down Gary Shaw’s pass for his last-minute strike, he was understandably thrilled with Burke’s contribution. “Great goals in terms of finishes and good decisions around the box. Delighted for him.”
Bradley’s charges felt they owed Derry one, having lost to the Foylesiders three times last term, including two defeats in Tallaght. “We went out with a game plan. We knew they’d be open and they’d give us chances and they did.” The Rovers boss stressed the importance of Burke’s opener just before the break. “We were conscious of scoring first. All their goals have come from set plays this year and if they get one, the can defend.”
Bradley praised the contribution of returning skipper Ronan Finn. “Ronan’s a big, big player for us, hence the reason we didn’t risk him in the last two weeks. You saw tonight how important he is to us. Scores one, sets one up, and his overall play was excellent.”
