Rovers’ defensive frailties exposed by Shelbourne
ON A night when lightning struck in Tralee, and pyrotechnics rained down in Inchicore, Tolka Park trembled as Shamrock Rovers slipped into the crevices of their first loss to Shelbourne in 19 years.
Stephen Bradley was less than impressed.
‘Embarrassing stuff, really poor,’ said the Rovers manager.
‘Back three, it’s probably the worst defensive display I’ve ever seen from us. Dan Cleary, Sean Hoare, Lee Grace, I would say they’ve won 12-15 leagues there between them, and we played like we’d never played a game or together before.’
Grace coughed up a penalty, Cleary was in no-man’s land for Shel’s second, while Hoare’s departure with an injury before half-time preceded a Rovers revival.
They just fell short and find themselves with one point out of six going into a double-header at home to Drogheda United on Friday, followed by Derry City on Monday.
With Pico Lopes, Jack Byrne, Richie Towell and Aaron McEneff to return, Rovers will regroup. A year ago, they didn’t win any of their first five games yet pulled clear to claim a fourth successive league title.
Even so, there was a defensive fragility on Friday that others may seize on – Shelbourne certainly did, to Damien Duff’s delight.
The Reds jumped from the traps with a burst of speed that would have impressed Olympian Eamonn Coghlan, who was among the 4,700 attendance, and sustained their effort to the line – Conor Kearns was immense in goal in the hectic final moments.
After the final whistle, Duff rounded up the Shelbourne players and staff for a team photo in front of the Briogáid Dearg in the Riverside Stand.
‘It wasn’t to rub anyone’s nose in it. It was a big night, a massive win, it was to show everyone we’re together. I think it’s powerful,’ he said. ‘We celebrated for four-five minutes max. It’s absolutely forgotten about now. You don’t get extra points for beating Rovers. They’re the best team in the country. They’ll be the team to catch again.’
Pencil-slim striker Will Jarvis, 21, scored a sublime goal and is set to play a significant role on his return to Shels for a second loan spell from Hull City.
Duff loves him. ‘He’s so laid back, he’s on the floor. Me as manager, the way I’m built, you’re on it every day in training but Will’s not. I’ve to bite the lip and just accept he’s one of those players that doesn’t train particularly well, but on match night they stand up. (Dimitar) Berbatov was like that at Fulham.’