BRADLEY: GREENE’S ‘BEEN INCREDIBLE’
YOU might think games of football can only be won or lost on the pitch – but Shamrock Rovers are proving to be the masterminds of the match-winning half-time team talk.
Several times this season the Hoops have produced outstanding second-half performances after discussing their opponents’ weaknesses and then exploiting them with devastating effect.
Friday’s 3-1 win away to Derry City was a classic example. Following a scoreless first 45 minutes, Stephen Bradley’s side got in behind the Candystripes’ defence and caused Hooped havoc.
Aaron Greene put in a man-of-the-match performance, scoring twice, before Richie Towell wrapped up the points with a third goal that rendered Pat Hoban’s late consolation for Derry irrelevant.
SATISFIED
With Shelbourne losing in Galway on Friday, Rovers are now just three points behind the league leaders with a game in hand – and they play the Reds tomorrow night at Tolka Park.
Naturally, Hoops boss Bradley was really satisfied with Friday’s performance, particularly after the break.
“We felt we could come to Derry and cause them real problems – if we got it right,” he said. “We got it right in the second half and scored three goals.
“We recognised the spaces quicker. The spaces were really big for us to go and hurt them. In the first half, we were taking an extra touch when we didn’t need to.
“The players recognised that at half-time. In the second half we really made them pay for how they were pressing.”
Just as he did a week earlier against Sligo Rovers, Aaron Greene scored twice for the Hoops as the rejuvenated 34-year-old striker continues to lead the line for Bradley’s injury-hit side.
Last year, Greene lost his mother and it took him a while to get back focused on football. Rovers supported him all the way and he’s repaying the club in the best way possible – with goals.
“He’s been incredible,” added Bradley. “We’ve been down bodies the last couple of months and Aaron’s really stepped up. He’s a leader on and off the pitch for us. This year, he’s a bit freer in his mind.
“He had a tough year last year and his performances for us have been top class,” he said. “Right now, he’s the most in-form forward in the country.
“We obviously have Rory (Gaffney) and Johnny (Kenny) coming back now, but it’s very hard to move Aaron out of the team when he’s playing like that.”
Gaffney and Kenny were both given a run out for the final 20 minutes of Friday’s win in Derry and should be available for tomorrow’s Tolka Park tussle with Damien Duff’s Shelbourne.
The Reds may have lost their way in recent weeks with successive defeats to Bohemians and Galway United, but Bradley is under no illusions about the challenge his side faces.
Last time out, Shels beat Rovers 2-1 and Bradley feels the Hoops have a point to prove.
“It’s another away one, but one we’re looking forward to,” he added. “We let ourselves down the last time we were there, giving away some poor goals.
“We’ve got to make sure we’re switched on for 90 minutes on Monday, as it will be a difficult game.”