ONE LIL STEP ..ONE GIANT LEAP!

Bradley: 2019 final win over Dundalk pivotal for Rovers

- BY MARK McCADDEN

STEPHEN BRADLEY has hailed Shamrock Rovers’ 2019 FAI Cup final win as the catalyst for the success that has followed.

Since that penalty shootout success over Dundalk, Bradley's first trophy as Rovers boss, the Hoops have won five Premier Division titles and qualified for three European group stage campaigns.

They missed out on a double in 2020 when the Lilywhites gained revenge in a 4-2 extra-time win.

But according to Bradley, Rovers’ 2019 win gave them the experience they needed to get future successes over the line.

“We needed it,” he said. “You can't just talk about being successful or bring in lots of players and think you are going to be successfull; when you cross the white line you have to earn it on the pitch.

“With the league this year we felt for a long time that it was done but the hardest part is to mathematically make it done.

“That is always the hardest part and cup finals are no different - they are difficult games.

“But over the years we have learned how to play in big games. We go to Athens on Thursday [to play AEK in the Europa Conference League]. A full house against a top team. That can only help us going into Sunday's environment and everything else that comes with it.”