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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘Delighted' Stephen Bradley hails Hoops for mature display after record European victory in Gibraltar
Stephen Bradley hailed his Shamrock Rovers side for taking care of business as a ruthless second-half display against St Joseph's saw the Hoops win 4-0 and take a giant step towards the Conference League third round. Three goals in the space of eight minutes after the break via Danny Mandroiu, John McGovern and Jack Byrne killed the first leg tie in Gibraltar with Bradley praising his players' maturity in dealing with the tricky local conditions as well as some disruption to their pre-match preparations as a result of flight changes. Related topics Shamrock Rovers

The 42
5 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Shamrock Rovers ease to win in Gibraltar
St Joseph's 0 Shamrock Rovers 4 SHAMROCK ROVERS earned a 4-0 victory over St Joseph's in today's first leg of the Uefa Conference League second-round qualifier at Europa Point Stadium. The emphatic win all but ensures the Hoops will progress, with next week's return match looking like a formality. Rory Gaffney's early clinical finish put Stephen Bradley's side in the driving seat. The Irish side then blew away their rivals in an eight-minute second-half period, as goals from Danny Mandroiu, John McGovern, and Jack Byrne sealed the win. The Premier Division leaders survived a couple of scares, but the scoreline was ultimately a fair reflection of the gap in quality between the two teams. Rovers went into the game with fresh memories of a superb 2024-25 Conference League campaign, when they made it to the knockout phase before being beaten by Molde on penalties. St Joseph's, meanwhile, were perceived as the underdogs, but did secure an upset victory over NIFL Premiership side Cliftonville in the last round, prevailing 5-4 on aggregate after extra time. The winners of the tie will face either Malta's Floriana or Kosovo's Ballkani, with the latter holding a 4-2 advantage from Tuesday's home first leg. The hosts began brightly as Rovers were given an early warning. Álvaro Rey's free kick from the right was met by the head of Manuel Sánchez, but Ed McGinty got down well to make the save. Advertisement The Gibraltarians continued to look dangerous, as Pablo Rodríguez burst towards the goal but ballooned a shot well over. Yet Rovers grew into the game and took the lead in the 13th minute. Rory Gaffney latched on to a lofted through pass by Dylan Watts and finished with aplomb, chipping over the onrushing Bradley Banda and into the net. St Joseph's still carried a threat, though, and Facu Álvarez narrowly blasted a shot wide from the edge of the area after a well-worked set-piece routine. The home side were then nearly caught out down the other end. Watts' quick free kick found Graham Burke, whose first-time shot from a tight angle was parried away by Banda. As the half drew to a close, St Joseph's were enjoying plenty of possession and territory, but rarely tested McGinty, as the Hoops comfortably dealt with their attacks. A view of Rovers' fans at the match. Martin Seras Lima / INPHO Martin Seras Lima / INPHO / INPHO There was an early let-off for the League of Ireland outfit in the second half. Manolín got on the end of Ángel Martínez's corner, but the midfielder's powerful header was a few inches wide. Danny Mandroiu then went close. After receiving the ball on the edge of the area after a short corner, the ex-Lincoln City man guided an effort narrowly over the bar. After a relatively uneventful period, Rovers doubled their advantage with 23 minutes of normal time remaining. An initial effort from distance by Josh Honohan was saved. The rebound fell to Mandroiu, whose low shot found the back of the net via a wicked deflection. As the game entered its dying stages, Stephen Bradley introduced Michael Noonan and McGovern, and the pair made an instant impact. Noonan's cross from the left fell perfectly for the former Dungannon Swifts man, whose hooked first-time finish appeared to have all but ended the tie as a contest. Another substitute, Jack Byrne, then got in on the act. The midfielder collected a pass from McGovern on the edge of the area and curled an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net. Álvaro Rey's curled effort drifted over, and Manolín also headed just wide from a Juanma González corner as the hosts threatened a late consolation. But barring a disaster next week, the Hoops will need to come through just two more rounds to emulate last season's achievement of reaching the league phase. St Joseph's: 1. Bradley Banda 2. Ethan Jolley (Volz 29) 4. Javi Paul 5. Geovanni Barba 12. Ángel Martínez (Forján 58) 6. Manolín 22. Juanma González 23. Facu Álvarez 25. Adrián Armental (Gibson 58) 9. Pablo Rodríguez 10. Álvaro Rey (Amadou 86) Subs: 13. Marcos Zappacosta 3. Jayce Olivero 7. Javi Forján 11. Leon Volz 15. Ethan Santos 17. Mitchell Gibson 19. Juanfri 24. Hassane Amadou Shamrock Rovers: 1. Ed McGinty 2. Josh Honohan 4. Roberto Lopes 5. Lee Grace 6. Dan Cleary 21. Danny Grant (Nugent 80) 17. Matt Healy 7. Dylan Watts (McEneff 64) 14. Danny Mandroiu (McGovern 71) 10. Graham Burke (Byrne 64) 20. Rory Gaffney (Noonan 71) Subs: 25. Lee Steacy 8. Aaron McEneff 11. Sean Kavanagh 15. Darragh Nugent 16. Gary O'Neill 22. Cian Barrett 27. Cory O'Sullivan 29. Jack Byrne 31. Michael Noonan 36. Victor Ozhianvuna 88. John McGovern Referee: Matthew McDermid (Scotland)


The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Super subs wreak havoc as Shamrock Rovers take big leap towards Conference League group stages with win over St Joseph's
SHAMROCK ROVERS have taken a big step towards the UEFA Conference League group stages with a 4-0 rout of St Joseph's in Gibraltar. Second-half goals from Danny Mandroiu and super subs John McGovern and seal on a comfortable evening at the Europa Point Stadium after Rory Gaffney had put them in front in the first. Advertisement 2 Shamrock Rovers beat St Joseph's 4-0 in the Conference League qualifying first leg Credit: Salva Castizo/Sportsfile 2 John McGovern scored on his European debut Credit: Salva Castizo/Sportsfile St Joseph's had knocked out Cliftonville in the last round but rarely looked like repeating the feat in the early evening sunshine. Early jitters on the artificial turf afforded the home side their best moments on the day. A Manuel Sanchez header which was easily held by Ed McGinty was the closest they came in the early exchanges as Rovers quickly settled. Advertisement Read More on Shamrock Rovers They should have taken the lead on 12 minutes when the hosts failed to clear a Dylan Watts free-kick, only for Gaffney to shoot straight at Bradley Banda in the St Joseph's goal They need not have worried, however, as It took Gaffney little more than a minute to make up for that wasted opportunity and he did so in style. It appropriately came from Matt Healy , who served as a capable anchor point in midfield and was the foundation through which Rovers imposed themselves. It was his pass that found Gaffney over the top down the right, allowing the 35-year-old to lift a cute finish over Banda and give Rovers the early lead. Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Rovers could have doubled their lead on 34 minutes when Danny Mandroiu was hauled to the ground by Juanma in midfield. Shamrock Rovers snap up Northern Ireland Under-21s goal-getter as Stephen Bradley gives exciting verdict Dylan Watts sharp delivery found Graham Burke but, from an acute angle, he could not beat Banda who made the save at his near post. Just as they had done in the early parts of the first-half, St Joseph's threatened from a set piece four minutes into the second, only for Angel Martinez's corner to be headed over the bar. Advertisement But Rovers looked steadier than they did at the start of the first-half, particularly through Danny Grant down the right-hand side, with Danny Mandroiu firing over from the edge of the box after a cutback from that flank. Rovers were happy to allow St Joseph's to have the ball and wait for their time to strike on the counter-attack, safe in the knowledge that the game was in their hands. Their confidence was aided by the Jack Byrne was introduced after 64 minutes and, within two minutes, he was involved as Advertisement His crossfield pass fund Josh Honohan wide on the left. The wing-back cut inside onto his right before firing a shot that was brilliantly saved low to his right by Bradley Banda. Unfortunately for the Joseph's goalkeeper, the ball fell into the path of Danny Mandroiu on the edge of the box and his shot deflected off a defender and dribbled into the corner. If Byrne's impact was swift, John McGovern's, introduced on 71 minutes, was the stuff of dreams as he scored his first goal since signing from Dungannon in May. Michael Noonan, brought on at the same time as the 22-year-old, was the provider, firing in a low cross which McGovern managed to turn in just two minutes into his European debut. Advertisement Two minutes later, the League of Ireland leaders were 4-0 up and through when Jack Byrne found the corner from the edge of the box. SUN STAR MAN Matt Healy (Shamrock Rovers) ST JOSEPH'S: Banda 6; Jolley 5 (Volz 29, 6), Paul 5, Barba 5, Martinez 5 (Forjan 57, 5); Sanchez 5, Juanma 6, Alvarez 5; Armental 5 (Gibson 57, 5), Rodriguez Moreno 5, Rey 5 (Amadou 86, 5). Advertisement SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty 6; Cleary 7, Lopes 6, Grace 6; Honohan 7, Watts 7 (McEneff 64, 6), Healy 7, Mandroiu 7 (McGovern 71, 7), Grant 7 (Nugent 79, ); Burke 6 (Byrne 64, 7), Gaffney 7 (Noonan 71, 6). REFEREE: MacDermid 6.


Irish Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Stephen Bradley provides fitness updates on four key players ahead of Cork game
Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has provided a fitness update on four key players ahead of Friday's League of Ireland Premier Division trip to face Cork City. Centre-half Dan Cleary picked up a knock after scoring in last weekend's 2-2 draw with champions Shelbourne. So he joins Aaron McEneff, Gary O'Neill and Danny Mandroiu on the sidelines. However, Bradley has some good news regarding three of the four players. It was feared that Mandroiu could face another extended spell out of the side with a recurrence of a hamstring injury. He was introduced as a substitute in last month's 4-1 win at home to this Friday's opponents Cork City, but felt a tightness in the same hamstring and came off 20 minutes after his arrival. 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. Bradley said at the time: 'I'm gutted for him, because he has worked so hard behind the scenes, we've been cautious with him, trying to manage him and get him back to a level, and then it has happened again.' Speaking ahead of their trip to Cork on Friday, the first of three games in seven hectic days, he said: 'Aaron Mac, Gary and Danny Mandroiu are getting there, and I'd imagine we would be pushing them if not (for the Cork game), then the next week for sure. But they are all doing really well.' Rovers will face Sligo Rovers next Monday and Drogheda United next Friday. As for Cleary, he added: 'Dan is going to be out. He'll miss tomorrow, he'll miss next Monday and I'd imagine he'll miss next Friday as well. It's not too bad but I'd imagine he'll miss the next week.' However, he is confident that his squad is strong enough to cope with Cleary's absence. 'The squad is strong, we've always said that we need everybody at different points in the season and when you are called upon you have to be ready to play. I think the players have shown that time and time again, and it will be no different tomorrow, Monday and next Friday,' said Bradley.