Sligo Rovers give Champions Shamrock Rovers a guard of honour

Hoops manager Stephen Bradley was critical of Cork City for not giving them a guard of honour ahead of their clash at Turner's Cross on Monday.

GUARD OF HONOUR: Champions Shamrock Rovers get a guard of honour from Sligo Rovers. Pic Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Sligo Rovers gave four-in-a-row Champions Shamrock Rovers a guard of honour before their meeting at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.

Hoops manager Stephen Bradley was critical of Cork City, and their interim boss Richie Holland in particular, for not not doing likewise ahead of their clash at Turner's Cross on Monday.

“It’s really poor from Cork. It’s just respect, isn’t it?” said Bradley after the match.

“I’d definitely do it for a team. I don’t understand it. That’s their decision. It is what it is but I think it’s really poor from them.

“Their manager’s decision was really poor, awful. I think that’s so weak. Really poor. You talk about leadership…”

Despite a number of their fans hoping they would follow City's example, according to a poll run on Twitter during the week from their supporters, Sligo decided to show their respect to the Champions on the night they received the league title.

A guard of honour for the champions 🏆 #LOI | @RTEsport
pic.twitter.com/jl3mim3OKE

— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 3, 2023

It is a decision manager John Russell defended and explained shortly before kick-off in a post on social media.

"We've been focussed on the game this week so I spoke with the management committee this morning on that issue," began Russell.

"The match is all that matters as far as we're concerned. As a club our fundamentals are about respect and integrity and we don't compromise that.

"We don't change how we operate based on what other clubs do or the past so we will acknowledge the occasion and then get on with the game.

"I've asked the players to sign off the season with a top performance and I feel we can come away with a positive result."