Stephen Bradley targets 'Invincibles' tag as Derry City visit champions

STEPHEN Bradley insists he's pleased Derry City has the chance to finish their full league campaign but warned his Shamrock Rovers team won't be dropping their standards as they target the League of Ireland 'invincibles' tag.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS . . . Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley wants to finish the season unbeaten.UNFINISHED BUSINESS . . . Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley wants to finish the season unbeaten.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS . . . Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley wants to finish the season unbeaten.

The Dubliners finally got their hands on their first title in nine years on Wednesday night after their 0-0 draw with St Pat's at Tallaght but Bradley claims the Hoops are far from finished.

Bradley ultimately wants to crown the 2020 campaign by retaining the FAI Cup at the end of the month to complete the 'double'.

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Before then, however, Rovers have two league fixtures remaining and he's determined to end their championship winning campaign unbeaten and become the first League of Ireland team to do so since the 1920s.

"That was one of our aims when we came back after Covid (lay-off) that we went the season unbeaten - that was one of our big aims," he said.

"Now we're two games away from doing that now. They're going to be two difficult games but it's definitely within our reach.

"After that it's obviously full steam ahead to try and defend the cup and focus on that.

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"We set ourselves targets and want to go and reach them. Whether we play well or not, we know as a team how to get results.

"I think that will be the case again on Saturday. We know it's going to be a difficult game but we'll be ready for that.

"We have our targets and want to make sure we hit them. We have our own standards and won't be dropping them in the last few games."

While the FAI's last minute reshuffle of league fixtures isn't ideal for his team who have been forced to play four games in eight days, Bradley is glad to face Derry on the pitch rather than being awarded a 3-0 walkover.

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"First of all I'm happy we get to play Derry on the pitch. I think that's good for everyone involved.

"It's just a bit unfortunate that the two final games are so close together but it's been a bit of a crazy season in that regard.

"I don't think there was any other option other than playing Saturday and Monday.

"It will be a tough ask but we just have to manage it as best we can. What will happen is that it will dilute the quality in both games I'd imagine because of fatigue.

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"The important thing is Derry get to play the game and they're all fit and healthy. It has to be done. There's no point in complaining. It was out of Derry's control. We just have to go play the game."

Bradley, who took charge of the south Dublin side in 2016, has faced his fair share of criticism as he put together a team which would challenge both Cork and Dundalk who were dominating the league at the time.

And now after winning the FAI Cup and league title in successive seasons, he's delighted for the players and staff who showed patience and bought into his vision for the future.

"I'm happy for the players, the staff and the club as a whole. I think there was a lot made of the criticism we had early on but you have to expect that when you manage a big club like Shamrock Rovers.

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"You have to understand they (the fans) demand results and to compete at the top. That was fine and we never wavered or lost sight of what we were doing or where we were going."

Ominously for the rest, Bradley is adamant his group of players are hungrier for more success and will only improve.

"Obviously we've won the cup and won the league now but I firmly believe this group of players and staff are only getting as a group. I think it's given us a little taste of it and we want more of that."

Key to that progression will be star player, Jack Byrne who Bradley is confident he can convince to stay in Tallaght.

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Byrne, who retained his place in Stephen Kenny's 26 man Ireland squad for the upcoming internationals against Wales and Bulgaria, is slowly making his way back after testing positive from Covid-19.

He played 70 odd minutes against St Pat's on Wednesday as he came off the bench for Graham Burke and is expected to play a role in Saturday's visit of Derry City.

"Jack hadn't kicked a ball in five weeks so he needed those minutes last night. He needed to get his legs going and you could see the longer the game went on he got stronger and stronger.

"He will need more minutes on Saturday to keep him going. He's the type that needs regular football to be at his best. It was good to get him on the pitch last night and we'll get him back on the pitch on Saturday."

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