Bradley calls behind-the-scenes look at Ireland's Twickenham build-up 'a brilliant learning experience'

Bradley is no stranger to leaning into other sporting codes to bolster his own coaching knowledge, inviting a number of GAA inter-county managers to address the Rovers players and staff in the past.

Shamrock Rovers’ manager Stephen Bradley. Pic: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Ireland’s demolition job on England in the Six Nations came as no surprise to Stephen Bradley after the Shamrock Rovers manager got a behind-the-scenes look at Andy Farrell’s methods in the build-up to that Twickenham clash.

Bradley is no stranger to leaning into other sporting codes to bolster his own coaching knowledge, inviting a number of GAA inter-county managers, including the legendary ex-Kilkenny hurling boss Brian Cody, to address the Rovers players and staff in the past.

Back in September, Johnny Sexton visited the Hoops’ Roadstone training base to observe Bradley's squad prepare for a European clash with Sparta Prague and see how he could incorporate aspects of that environment into his own coaching venture as part of Farrell’s staff with the Ireland rugby team.

Tonight, Ireland are hoping to back up their Twickenham show of strength when they host Wales at the Aviva Stadium, but Bradley will have to watch it back as Shamrock Rovers go head-to-head with one of their chief title rivals, Derry City, at Tallaght Stadium.

Bradley, who intends returning the favour by inviting Farrell over to Roadstone, said: “I was lucky enough and very grateful that Andy allowed me in on an extremely important week for them. A really busy, heavy day for them in terms of prep for the England game.

“I was allowed to be privy to all of that; the team, the information, the tactics. It was a brilliant learning experience for myself. Brilliant people and they're so humble. The attention to detail was top class.

“I obviously didn't know they would win that Saturday as it was a tough game, but I knew they would perform. Sometimes you get a feel, a smell for it in the environment. Leaving that day, it was there. They were just on it, all of them. They were so in sync in everything they were doing, from the meetings to the pitch, every player, every staff member, you knew they were ready for a big performance.” 

Bradley continued: “My wife was telling me to shut up as I didn’t shut up talking about it that night. Then, on the Saturday, I locked myself in the room and had my notebook out just watching them play because I knew what the game plan was. I was intrigued to see how it would come off, and it was brilliant to see.” 

From his days as an Arsenal youth, to returning home and playing in the League of Ireland, and now leading Shamrock Rovers to five league titles, Bradley’s entire life has been consumed by football. But since stepping into management in 2016, he has developed an appreciation of how other sports operate at elite level.

On rugby, he said: “I love it and it can relate so much to football in certain aspects. I love watching it, especially at the top level. It was brilliant to understand the detail and to see the intensity that they work at. Not many teams have got me really excited like that for some time.” 

But Bradley’s focus is back on his own side tonight when they host the Candystripes, with the Hoops eager to bounce back from last Friday's 3-2 defeat at arch rivals Bohemians. Indeed, it’s a significant four-day period as Rovers then travel to play Shelbourne on Monday.

After four successive games at home, this is Derry City’s first away game of the season and they are returning to the scene of their President’s Cup win over Rovers at the end of January, not that either manager is putting too much stock in that 1-0 pre-season result.

Derry City boss Tiernan Lynch said: “Rovers have won one, drawn one and lost one. Now people are talking about the crises that they're in. Rovers are always going to be the benchmark. We have to concentrate on the things we're good at and go down there with the confidence that we can cause problems.” 

Derry’s Carl Winchester is out for a number of weeks while Darragh Markey is a doubt. Shamrock Rovers are without injured trio Rory Gaffney, Danny Mandroiu and Max Kovalevskis.

LOI Fixtures

Premier Division: Galway United v Dundalk, Eamonn Deacy Park; Waterford v Bohemians, RSC; Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Tallaght Stadium (8pm), Shelbourne v Waterford, Tolka Park (8pm).

First Division: Bray Wanderers v Athlone Town, Carlisle Grounds; Cobh Ramblers v Cork City, St Colman’s Park; Finn Harps v Wexford, Finn Park; Treaty United v Kerry, Markets Field.