Latest news with #ShamrockRovers
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Brentford selected Keith Andrews 'with their eyes open'
Stephen Bradley has hailed Keith Andrews' appointment as Brentford boss as a significant step forward for Irish managers. And the Shamrock Rovers supremo does not believe it is a bold or brave move by the Bees - rather a shrewd and considered appointment. 'They have made this decision with their eyes open and that should fill you with confidence if you're Keith,' said Bradley, who was on the same Pro Licence as Andrews. 'They have obviously seen something that they really, really like.' 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. Andrews has succeeded new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank on a three-year deal despite having never managed before. He was Brentford's set piece coach and previously had coaching spells with Sheffield United and MK Dons, while he was also Stephen Kenny's assistant with Ireland. Bradley and Andrews enrolled on the same Pro Licence course, but Andrews had to step back after a period of time and defer to a later one due to work commitments. Bradley said: 'Brentford have always been bold and brave in what they've done. We all look at Thomas Frank now as an established, really good manager but he wasn't always. He was an assistant, he was 'B' team. 'The Sparta Prague manager we played against last year, he was 'B' team manager as well and was the next one to come in and got the Sparta offer. They do that regularly.' Bradley had a good working relationship with Brentford's former technical director Rob Rowan before his sad passing aged just 28 in 2018. 'He was the one who set all that in motion and they have stuck to their plan,' said Bradley of Brentford's model of promoting from within. 'If Brentford have given Keith that job, they've given it to him because they really believe in what he does and how he does it. 'They don't look to me like a club that makes rash decisions. They buy well, they sell well, they recruit good players, they recruit good managers and coaches. 'I can only imagine the amount of managers who would have wanted that job, so the fact they have gone straight for him is a massive vote of confidence.' And Bradley continued: 'You can see he is definitely a student of the game. 'He has played at a good level and has done his work in terms of coaching. 'You've seen him on Sky throughout the years and you know within a few minutes of people who do that job if they know what they're talking about, or bluffing. 'You see so many of them on the telly, who look good or have a name. But you can listen to him and know after a few minutes that he knows what he's talking about. 'I texted him today and I'm absolutely delighted, a young Irish manager in the Premier League and I just really, really want it to go well for him.' Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers put Monday's derby defeat to Bohemians behind them to beat Waterford 1-0 and extend their lead at the top to 11 points. But Aaron Greene is facing a spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury he shipped against Bohs, with Bradley unclear if the striker will be back in time for Europe. Bradley said: 'It's still a bit swollen so we have to wait until it comes down for it to be x-rayed and see what it looks like. It's very unlike Aaron so we're not sure.' The Hoops boss also revealed he has his eye on two transfer targets from outside the League of Ireland ahead of the window officially opening on Tuesday. Bradley added: 'There's one or two we're looking at and if they're a runner, we'll bring it to the board and see if we can do it.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Super substitute Rory Gaffney sends Shamrock Rovers 11 points clear at top of Premier Division with win over Waterford
RORY GAFFNEY came off the bench to give Shamrock Rovers a huge three points in their bid to regain the Premier Division title. The hosts had looked to be steamrolling their way to the trophy by going 11 games unbeaten before falling to defeat in the 2 Rory Gaffney scored the winner for Shamrock Rovers against Waterford Credit: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile 2 Shamrock Rovers are not 11 points clear at the top of the Premier Division Credit: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile But Stephen Bradley's men got back on track thanks to Gaffney's second-half finish. Before the match, Bradley claimed the Bohs loss could prove to be a 'kick up the a***' for his men. And this seemed the case as his side went close to opening the scoring within the first five minutes. Graham Burke got to the endline before standing up a deep cross to the back post to Danny Grant. Read More on Shamrock Rovers The wing-back chested the ball down under pressure before hitting the foot of the near post, with his effort somehow staying out. Having been sidelined since April with a calf problem, Andy Boyle was welcomed back to the He was booked for hauling down Michael Noonan near the halfway line as the teenager — 18 years his junior — looked to be clear through on goal. In his first trip to Tallaght as Blues boss, John Coleman made one enforced change to the side that drew 2-2 at home to champions Shelbourne on Monday, with Conan Noonan unavailable against his parent club. Most read in Football And his side responded well to the early onslaught. Wing-back Jesse Demspey found space down the left and cleverly cut back to the edge of the area into the path of James Olayinka. Shamrock Rovers snap up Northern Ireland Under-21s goal-getter as Stephen Bradley gives exciting verdict Attempting to sweep the ball home, his strike was well turned away by Ed McGinty before Josh Honohan cleared under pressure. Both sides exchanged strikes from range as they sensed an opener was within touching distance. Honohan's right-footed curler, as he cut inside from the left, was brilliantly tipped around the post by Stephen McMullan at full stretch. The impressive Olayinka then showed awareness to turn two men and drill a powerful effort straight into McGinty's midriff. The visitors fashioned one of the clearest chances to break the deadlock just after the half-hour mark when Tommy Lonergan got in behind the Rovers rearguard. Dan Cleary came across to force the frontman wide, leaving poacher supreme Pádraig Amond free inside the six-yard box. But with the angle against him, Lonergan opted to go himself, shooting straight at McGinty as Amond looked on in disbelief. TEN OUT OF TEN The hosts, roared on by the majority of the 4,014 in Tallaght Stadium, continued to prod for an opening but were met by a well-organised sea of blue that carried a threat on the break. With nothing between the sides as the second half wore on, the introduction former PFAI award winners Jack Byrne and Gaffney showed the strength in depth at Bradley's disposal. Seeing them coming into the mix also lifted the crowd. And Gaffney took just ten minutes to have a crucial impact. The 35-year-old rolled back the years as he showed lightning-quick reactions to race on to a spill by McMullan — who had initially failed to hold a stinging Danny Mandroiu strike from 25 yards — and tap home with 15 minutes to go. Rovers pushed for a second and Maxim Kovalevskis, impressive again off the bench, showed great feet to cut inside and square to Gaffney. But he saw his thunderous effort bravely blocked to safety . Rovers held on for what could be a pivotal win in the title race as attention turns to another European adventure and the start of an FAI Cup tilt over the month of July. SUN STAR MAN Danny Mandroiu (Shamrock Rovers) SHAMROCK ROVERS : McGinty 7; Cleary 7, Lopes 8, Grace 7: Grant 7 (Kovalevskis 76, 7), Watts 7 (Gaffney 65, 9) Healy 7, Mandroiu 9 (Nugent 88, 7), Honohan 7; G Burke 7 (Byrne 65, 7), Noonan 7 (O'Neill 88, 7). WATERFORD : McMullen 7; Boyle 7, Leahy 7, Burke 7 (Coyle 80, 7); Horton 7, McDonald 7 (McMenamy 69, 7), Glenfield 7, Olayinka 8, Dempsey (White 71, 7): Lonergan 7, Amond 7. REFEREE : P Norton (Dublin) 6.
Irish Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Shamrock Rovers gain ground on challengers with 1-0 win over Waterford
League of Ireland: Shamrock Rovers 1 (Gaffney 74) Waterford 0 Shamrock Rovers extended their lead at the top of the League of Ireland to 11 points after battling to a 1-0 home win over Waterford . The deadlock was broken by a tap-in from veteran Rovers striker Rory Gaffney, after a long-range shot slipped out of goalkeeper Stephen McMullan's hands in the 74th minute. Although an entertaining game, both sides played with three centre backs and defences dominated as clear-cut chances were hard to come by. Gaffney appearance off the bench on 65 minutes proved critical, providing the only goal of the evening. The first glimpse of action came in the fourth minute when a ball over the top found Tommy Lonergan in space, but the angle was too tight for Padraig Amond to finish. READ MORE In the fifth minute some clever Rovers interplay set Graham Burke free on the left flank, and his cross found Danny Grant at the far post. Despite having plenty of time to get the shot off, Grant's close-range effort hit the post. Rovers dictated the early goings, with Danny Mandriou and Burke getting on the ball and looking to find runners in behind. Wing backs Grant and Josh Honohan were constantly looking beyond the Waterford defence. The visitors started to liven up then, with midfielder Olujimi James Ayodele Olayinka drawing a fine save from Edward McGinty, and Honohan did well to stop Padraig Amond getting to the rebound. At the other end, Waterford goalkeeper Stephen McMullan produced a brilliant save of his own, tipping a curling effort from Honohan just around the post. Rory Gaffney in action for Shamrock Rovers. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho In the 25th minute Burke was fouled on the edge of the box. He rolled the free off to Mandriou, who blazed his effort over the bar. Olayinka again stung McGinty's gloves, this time with a long range effort, after beating his man with a graceful turn. Neither side could take control of the rhythm of the game for very long and soon Lonergan found himself in behind for Waterford's clearest chance of the half, but McGinty did well to prevent the ball going under him, saving the shot with his foot. At half-time, Rovers' patient build-up had given them most of the possession, although their attack was lacking incision. John Coleman's side on the other hand would have been happy to have played their way into the game after a quiet start. The small pocket of Waterford fans in Tallaght Stadium would have had their hearts in their mouths when Noonan applied pressure to McMullan, but the goalkeeper just managed to poke the ball away from the striker. Rovers and Waterford both had half-chances early in the second half. Most of Rovers' good play came through Burke, who set up Watts and Honohan for shots at goal, before coming off for Jack Byrne in the 65th minute. The hosts started to pile on the pressure from there, putting on another striker in Rory Gaffney, who could have put his side ahead but for some fantastic defending by Boyle, blocking a goal-bound effort. Only minutes later though, Gaffney did put Rovers into the lead. Danny Mandriou had a pop from distance which McMullan spilt badly, and the striker tucked the rebound into the net. Substitute Maxim Kovaleskis was a bright spark on the right wing, the 17-year-old setting up Gaffney for another chance. Although Waterford pushed for an equaliser late on, they could not create a clear opportunity. The result sees the Hoops extend their lead at the top of the table after second-place Bohemians drew with Sligo Rovers. The result at Dalymount saw Sligo gain a point on Waterford in eighth, eight points above the relegation play-off spot. SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty, Grant (Kovaleskis, 76), Lopes, Grace, Cleary, Honohan, Healy, Watts (Gaffney, 65), Mandriou (89), Burke (Byrne, 65), Noonan (O'Neill, 88). WATERFORD: McMullan, Horton, Burke (Coyle, 80), Boyle, Leahy, Dempsey (White, 71), McDonald (McMenamy, 68), Glenfield, Olayinka, Lonergan, Amond. Referee: Paul Norton. Attendance: 4,014.
Irish Examiner
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Gaffney the hero as Shamrock Rovers extend lead at summit
Premier Division: Shamrock Rovers 1 Waterford 0 Supersub Rory Gaffney proved the hero as he was in the right place at the right time to notch a valuable winner and extend his side 11-point clear at the summit. Rovers could have been in front within the first five minutes when Graham Burke stood up an inviting cross to the back post that found Danny Grant. The wingback, under some pressure, showed good composure to chest the ball down but saw his low strike somehow hit the foot of the near post before rolling across goal and eventually cleared. Waterford's Jesse Demspey found some space down the left and smartly teed up James Olayinka, who burst forward from midfield and saw his sweeping strike was sharply turned away by Ed McGinty. Both sides started to sense blood as the game began to open, with chances coming at both ends. Firstly, Josh Honohan cut inside from the left, and bent a lovely effort to the far post but was denied by Stephen McMullan at full stretch. The visitors went straight down the other end and Olayinka turned two men before unleashing a powerful effort straight into McGinty's midriff. Waterford then spurned one of the clearest openings of the evening when Tommy Lonergan got in behind the Rovers rearguard and looked to be in on goal. On the cover, Dan Cleary forced the front man slightly wide, leaving Padraig Amond free in the process, but his strike partner selfishly went for goal with the angle against him and shot straight at McGinty. The hosts continued to be patient in their search to break the deadlock but were met by a well-organized sea of blue. The introduction of two former PFAI award winners in Jack Byrne and Rory Gaffney showed the strength in depth at the disposal of the Bradley and lifted the crowd in the process. The 35-year-old Gaffney reacted quickest to a spill by McMullan - who had initially failed to hold a stinging Danny Mandroiu strike from 25-yards, and tapped home with just 15 minutes remaining. Rovers pushed for a second and fellow substitute Maxim Kovalevskis showed great feet to cut inside and square to Gaffney, but he saw his thunderous effort bravely blocked. Rovers saw out the remaining minutes in what could prove a pivotal victory in the title race as his side's attention now turns to both another European adventure and the start of an FAI Cup tilt. Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Danny Grant (Maxim Kovalevskis, 76'), Dylan Watts (Rory Gaffney, 65'), Matt Healy, Danny Madroiu (Darragh Nugent, 87'), Josh Honohan; Graham Burke (Jack Byrne, 65'), Michael Noonan (Gary O'Neill, 87'). Waterford: Stephen McMullan; Andy Boyle, Darragh Leahy, Ryan Burke (Trae Bailey Coyle, 80'); Grant Horton, Rowan McDonald (Dean McMenamy, 69'), Sam Glenfield, James Olayinka, Jesse Dempsey (Kyle White, 71'): Tommy Lonergan, Padraig Amond. Referee: Paul Norton (Dublin).
BreakingNews.ie
16 hours ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
LOI: Shamrock Rovers 11 points clear after beating Waterford
Shamrock Rovers' lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division table is now 11 points. The leaders beat Waterford 1-0 tonight, while Bohemians required a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Sligo Rovers. Advertisement Derry City are now level on points with Bohs after their 3-0 win over Drogheda United, while Galway United and Shelbourne played out a 1-1 draw. At Turner's Cross, it finished Cork City 0-0 St Patrick's Athletic. Dundalk edged out Cobh Ramblers 1-0 in their top of the table clash in the First Division tonight. Elsewhere, Wexford beat Kerry 4-3, Bray were 4-0 winners away to Athlone Town and Treaty United lost 1-0 at home to Finn Harps.
