Proud Bradley bent but not broken as Rovers exit Europe
Shamrock Rovers bowed out of the UEFA Conference League, however, they left with their heads held high according to proud manager Stephen Bradley.
The Hoops suffered the heartbreak of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Norwegian side Molde in front of a full house at Tallaght Stadium.
The epic adventure spanned two seasons, beginning last summer and continuing right past the start of the 2025 League of Ireland campaign, as Rovers made history, becoming the first Irish team to make it through to the knock-out phase of a European competition.
In the process, Rovers helped enrich the respectability of the Irish club scene while adding considerably to the financial health of the Dublin club as they first made the league phase before maintaining that momentum into the knock-outs.
And it looked as though they would make it through to the last 16 following their first leg away win before dominating the second leg, which saw the Hoops bombard their opponents who had to play the additional 30 minutes with just ten men.
But it wasn't to be, as Molde composed themselves for the deciding spot-kicks, while Rovers striker Aaron Greene would miss his effort, which would eventually end the Hoops’ hopes of progressing.
"We are really disappointed at the moment, we are hurting, it’s a difficult one to take," said Bradley, speaking at the post-match press conference.
"I thought we were the better team over two legs, I thought we deserved to go through, even after giving away a terrible goal and missing out on a penalty, but that’s football.
"It’s tough to lose it on penalties, but everyone to a man put in a shift tonight and on another night, we probably win, but that’s penalties, it’s the luck of the draw and tonight we were unlucky.
"I don’t think the lads could do anymore. We have got to make sure we learn it and we have to make sure the experience of this whole campaign can make us better. I’m sure we will, but right now it’s a really tough one to take.
"This team has created history. I know tonight we wanted more, but when we look back and reflect, they’ve been excellent. They have made history, and I am proud of them."
Rovers now find themselves right back at the very beginning of another league campaign and are already playing catch-up having lost their opening game of the season to Bohemians on Sunday, which was squeezed in between the two European fixtures.
But Bradley was making no excuses following the game, nor was he lamenting the fact that his squad was decimated through injury, compounded by the fact that two more players were suspended for the vital second leg.
As a result, Rovers were unable to fill their full quota of substitutes and, in fact, named three goalkeepers in the squad, including 17-year-old Todd Bazunu, brother of Ireland keeper Gavin.
Sixteen-year-old Michael Noonan, once again, was asked to lead the Rovers line, while fellow teenager Victor Ozhianvuna was sprung from the bench for the period of extra time, and 18-year-old John O'Reilly-O'Sullivan came on late in the tie and like Noonan dispatched a penalty with ease.
Rovers now must dust themselves down and get ready to dive feet first into that league campaign, which continues on Sunday evening as they welcome Cork City to Tallaght Stadium.
While Bradley acknowledged the difficulty of bowing out of the competition, especially having dominated the two-legged tie, he stressed the need for the management and squad to have the ability to flick a switch, look forward and continue in the same vein.
"It’s disappointing, but we will be better for it, and now we have to get ready for Cork on Sunday," said Bradley.
"It has to be [the flick of a switch]. You don’t be successful over a long period of time if you can’t do that. Our mentality is not to dwell on success or failure, it is about understanding it, how it happened, and moving on quickly.
"That’s what makes you better, that’s what makes you a better team, a better group, a better club and that’s what we have been really, really good at as a club the last six or seven years."
"We have learned from our failures, it’s made us stronger. We’ve learned from our success, it’s made us stronger. With that you review quickly, and you move on. It has to be that way, we have always done it that way, and it is that easy. When you are in it, that’s the way it is.
"It’s not about reflecting on what we have achieved, it’s about what’s next."
