Bradley heaps praise on Joey O'Brien after important victory

23rd November 2023
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Shamrock Rovers Head Coach Stephen Bradley was delighted with his side’s performance against Derry City.  Rovers secured an important three points in the battle for fourth spot in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division to secure European footbal

Shamrock Rovers Head Coach Stephen Bradley was delighted with his side’s performance against Derry City. 

Rovers secured an important three points in the battle for fourth spot in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division to secure European football next campaign. 

“I thought we were excellent. We pressed and played with real energy. We created a lot of chances - it could have been three or four.”

Bradley made use of the two water breaks to pass some telling instructions to his team. “It was a good call from the ref,” said Bradley of the mid-each half initiative. “It was really, really warm out there for the players.”

“It was probably his hardest chance in the match,” said Bradley of Dan Carr’s glorious strike in first-half stoppage time. “He has two before that that were a lot easier. Danny’s like that. He’s that the ability to put them away.”

Short of Greg Bolger and Ethan Boyle, both suspended, and the now departed Graham Burke, Rovers still won with something to spare. “We’re happy with the two goals and the clean sheet. It could have been more. Defensively we were excellent. 

"We looked really solid. Joey (O’Brien) calms us down, brings experience to the back four. They were excellent as a back four and Gavin was really calm and confident.”

Bradley was pleased with Joel Coustrain’s second goal in two games, “We spoke about it a few weeks ago. He needs to add goals to his game. His all round play is really good. When he adds goals he’s obviously dangerous.”

Attention now switches to an away match against Cork City next Friday. The Turner’s Cross men will be smarting from their injury-time reverse against Dundalk and Bradley feels his men will take much from the Hoops recent good run. 

“It’s great momentum. It’s going to be a really tough game down there. They obviously lost tonight so they’ll be hurting and they’ll be trying to put it right next week. 

"It’s always a tough place to go but if we go and hit our levels, we’ll give them a really good game.”