‘It's about creating new memories' – Shels captain Mark Coyle embraces Joey O'Brien era ahead of Linfield Champions League tie
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Irish Daily Mirror
22 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shamrock Rovers back on the Euro bike after record-breaking run last season
A cold February night in Tallaght is on the minds of all at Shamrock Rovers as they prepare for the 30 degree-plus heat of Gibraltar early this evening. Losing that UEFA Conference League play-off to Molde on penalties, after taking a 1-0 lead back to their own home, still leaves a bitter taste for Stephen Bradley despite the €7.4m banked for an unprecedented European campaign. "It has to give you motivation," said the Rovers boss, speaking before training at Roadstone yesterday ahead of the squad's trip to face St Joseph's in the Conference League second round first leg at Europa Point Stadium Gibraltar (5pm Irish time). "When you've been successful, you need to keep finding that drive and wanting to get better. There's loads that need to fall into place for that to happen. "But we want to try to put that right. The only way you can do that is by winning. As boring as that seems, that's the reality. If we don't do our work then it's done for a year. We don't want that. We want to make sure we're ready." The Molde defeat brought to an end a remarkable 16-game run in Europe and the Hoops really are back to zero, having lost their title to Shelbourne and, with it, the champions path to the ECL group stages. That makes the journey back there tougher but Rovers are accentuating the positives - 12 months ago they were chasing Shels but now are in pole position in the title race, while Bradley has a full squad to choose from. By the time they played Molde, the injury and suspension-hit squad was running on fumes. If Rovers overcome St Joseph's, who beat Cliftonville in the second qualifying round, they will face Ballkani of Kosovo or Malta's Floriana. Players and staff of St Joseph's celebrate following their team's victory in the UEFA Europa Conference First Qualifying Round Second Leg match against Cliftonville at Solitude on July 17 (Image:) A professional display on an astro surface in hot conditions would be a good start but it's a good draw. 'We want to go again," declared Bradley. "I think it's two out of three years, we've been in the group or league phase. "Our aim is to be in that league phase again. I believe we can do it. We have to be at our best to do it. It's definitely not impossible. We're on the side of the draw because of how well we've done. I think people forget that at times. "If we don't take care of St Joseph's over two legs, the rest is irrelevant. If we do, it looks like it would be Kosovo if you get through, then we'd look after that. "The squad's in a good place. We always get better in the second part of the season. It's up to us to go and do it. We want to do it. We want to be there again. We want another taste of that. How we went out (last season) still doesn't sit right with me. We want to try and get back and put that right. That starts here." Gerard Lyttle provided Rovers with all the homework that Cliftonville had done on St Joseph's, who won 5-4 on aggregate. Bradley got to watch the two legs in person and felt that the tie turned on a Cliftonville red card in both games. Shels also played St Joseph's last year and edged through what was a niggly affair. 'We're an experienced team," Bradley stressed. "I didn't think I could see anything like Celje last year. "We've seen a lot in our time here. I don't know how many European games we've played, you see everything from the good to the bad. "We'll be fine. I've heard stories and everything else. It's none of our concern. We don't control it. We're ready to win the game. Whatever it throws up, we'll be ready for it." Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
St Patrick's Athletic keeper outlines his World Cup hopes and European dreams
Joseph Anang hopes his European exploits with St Patrick's Athletic can boost his bid to go to next year's World Cup. The 25-year-old received his first Ghana call-up for last month's Unity Cup against Nigeria and Trinidad & Tobago - and although he wasn't capped he was delighted with the experience. Anang had his eye on an international call-up when he returned to St Patrick's Athletic, this time on a permanent deal, from West Ham. 'Obviously West Ham let me go and from there I had to go somewhere and play some football,' he said, ahead of tonight's Europa Conference League clash between St Pat's and Estonian side Nomme Kalju. 'I also had the international career in mind, that's why I had to come here and get some games and then obviously get my career going again.' Ghana are on course to qualify for next year's World Cup. With four games to go, they lead their group, with second-placed Comoros three points behind them. 'It (qualification) is very, very possible because now we've got four games and I think we've got to win two to go through. So yeah, it's very, very possible,' said Anang, a former England underage goalkeeper.' As for his recent international call, he said: 'Me and the Ghana FA, we've been in contact since I was at West Ham but back then I wasn't playing so they couldn't really put a trigger. 'But now for the past year, we've been playing, so obviously that's why in the last two months, that's why I was able to get a call up. 'That was a great, great experience. That was my first call up, so hopefully first of many.' Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . European performances have tended to be the ones to elevate League of Ireland players onto the international stage. Shamrock Rovers' Josh Honohan caught the eye of Boys in Green boss Heimir Hallgrímsson with his performances in the Conference League last season. 'It's like they (international managers) are more focused on players playing in big leagues or playing against decent enough opponents and stuff like that,' said Anang. 'So I think they are watching me more playing in Europe than in the league, for sure.' If that's the case, then another clean sheet tonight would do his prospects no harm. Anang's goal wasn't breached once in the Saints' Conference League first qualifying round tie against Lithuanian side Hegelmann, as the Dubliners recorded a 3-0 aggregate win. In all competitions, he has recorded four consecutive clean sheets - and 13 in total this season. 'It feels good,' he said. 'It feels very good and obviously that shows how me and the boys have been working day in, day out and training defensively. 'So yeah, hopefully we can keep you up in the coming games.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Independent
7 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘Learn from the mistakes' – Joey O'Brien says there are beneficial lessons in Qarabag loss for Shels' challenges ahead
Euractiv Joey O'Brien believes the lessons from a tough night against Qarabag will be short term pain for long term gain as far as Shelbourne's European ambitions are concerned. O'Brien's side suffered a three goal defeat at Tolka Park which kills their hopes of progression in the Champions League but they have the significant fallback of a drop to the Europa League and the insurance of a Conference League playoff if the second tier is beyond them.
