Stephen Bradley turns down Shamrock Rovers hot-seat despite European place
The former Rovers player had last week been offered the job on a permanent basis but indicated to fans in his programme notes that he’d turned the chance down, leaving the Hoops board to search for another contender.
“Tonight marks my final home involvement with the first team before I resume my Academy role,” wrote Bradley, installed as caretaker boss following the sacking of Pat Fenlon in July.
“It was truly an honour to work with the backroom team and I am forever grateful for their help.”
Finishing fourth represented a disappointing return for a decorated club now lagging behind Dundalk and Cork City by a considerable distance.
Last night’s performance against Bray followed a predictably laboured pattern, as they struggled to create any tempo to their play.
While Brandon Miele fashioned a good chance three minutes before half-time when he shot straight at Peter Cherrie from point-blank range, Rovers were fortunate to escape 10 minutes from the end as Sean Heaney hacked Dean Kelly’s close-range effort off the line.
Regardless of the result from their penultimate game, it transpired defeat for Sligo Rovers in Derry ended their chances of usurping the Dublin Rovers for fourth spot.
Murphy; Cornwall, Heaney, O’Connor; Madden, D Clarke (Kiely 68), Cregg, McCabe, Miele (Doona 90), T Clarke; Boyd (Dobbs 82).
Cherrie; Douglas, Kenna, Clancy, Lynch; Brennan (Marks 77), Salmon (Noone 70), Sullivan; Moore, Connolly; Pender (Kelly 70).
Sean Grant (Wexford).
