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Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Alan Reynolds: 'I was happy the fans vented at me rather than them'
Fifty league games into his spell as Bohemians manager and Alan Reynolds couldn't be happier. Second in the Premier Division table, technically they could join leaders Shamrock Rovers at the summit by beating the Hoops next Monday and winning their two games in hand. Delivering a first league title to Dalymount Park since 2008 is a vision Reynolds refuses to countenance. He's not lacking in ambition, merely couched in the reality of the game's fickleness. Bohemians travel to his hometown club Waterford on Friday as the Premier Division's in-form team. They're riding high from winning five of their last six yet it's not long since the manager was facing the boo-boys. Losing six of the opening nine games conflated with a whimpering eight-placed finish last term. The outlook was bleak when on Easter Monday his own fans chimed with the Rovers chorus of 'you're getting sacked in the morning'. Bohs were trailing the best team in the country 2-0 in Tallaght until a seasonal resurrection of three late goals engineered a comeback win. It served to reignite their campaign, easing the pressure on a manager the Gypsies faithful have been slow in warming to. The temperature has changed from ice-cold to moderate and will likely require a trophy to emit heat but that's not his craving. At times, the stick was deeply personal. On occasions, it stretched beyond the confines of league grounds, with the authorities getting involved. Reynolds has been in management since Waterford appointed him as player-coach at 29. Most of his career was spent as No 2 to the likes of Stephen Kenny, Ruaidhrí Higgins, Keith Long, Jim Crawford, Liam Buckley and John Caulfield. Being in the frontline is a different animal. He's ultimately responsible and, as cutting as the flak was, he was prepared to be the punchbag instead of players. And yet never did he entertain the thought of quitting. Read More FAI to be hauled before State's Oireachtas Sport Committee 'Without a doubt, it was the most difficult stage of my managerial career,' he reflects on the barrage of abuse. 'It was tough at times for the players in Dalymount but I was happy the fans vented at me rather than them. 'It wasn't nice but I was glad to be the one taking it. That wasn't something that was said in the dressing room but it was clear. 'I'm glad I got the stick at this stage where I was able to dust myself down, saying 'right, let's crack on with this'. 'Not for a minute did I consider walking away. If the people above wanted to make that decision, so be it. 'Dalymount is known as a tough place to come but it became a tough place for us to play. That's now swung around.' He's just over 14 months in the job. The one plea made during last year's underwhelming opening campaign was for the patience of three transfer windows. Two of those are completed and he doesn't foresee much business required in the upcoming one, such is the contentment with his personnel. Crystal Palace have recalled his centre-back Seán Grehan from a loan deal but into his squad place will come Cian Byrne returning from a temporary stint at Galway United. 'We were impressed with our signings, and despite it being hard going early, I always believed in what we were doing,' he reasoned about moulding his team. 'Results have been good and so have the displays. 'People say things about the summer break but we worked really hard when we came back last week. 'We needed a break from seeing each other. They're young lads, have families and enjoyed the break, even if they had fitness programme results to submit. 'I felt the first-half performance at Cork City last Friday was the best since I've come in. We were 2-0 up but should have been out of sight. 'Nobody gave us a chance after the early results and it's hard to say we're eying the title. Still, we're within touching distance.' Their tilt will be strengthened by the returns from injury of former English Premier League striker Lys Mousset and Connor Parsons. Options will be expanded if the right contender arises after July 1. 'I always said three windows were required but after the first series of matches I thought I'd need more,' Rennie said, jokingly. 'I feel you need to improve in all windows. We'll see if something pops up but you'd want to be a good player to get into our squad. 'We like our group. All they lacked was a bit of confidence.' Read More Kylian Mbappe admitted to hospital with acute gastroenteritis
Irish Examiner
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ger Nash seeking response from 'hurt' Cork City
Come 10pm last Saturday night, Cork City found themselves in the lonely position of 10th in the Premier Division table. City's defeat to Bohemians on Friday night, coupled with Sligo Rovers one-nil win over Waterford the following day ensured exactly that. The momentum built from a positive performance against Shelbourne prior to the mid-season break - albeit without the much-needed three points - was taken away in that loss to Alan Reynolds' Bohs, as City boss Ger Nash illustrated on Thursday. "I think we were hurt by Friday night, that's important to say," Nash said. "We felt we had built a little bit of momentum after the performance against Shels. I think it's probably the first time I've seen that confidence be affected, and that's something we had to address, we had to talk about." Stephen Bradley's Shamrock Rovers are next up on Friday night, with the visit of high-flying Drogheda and St Pat's to come next week. "I'm looking for a response on Friday night, we've spent a lot of time with the players this week - on the grass, off the grass - and I went to watch Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers on Monday, so we're prepared as well as we can be, and it's time for us to put in a performance now over the next week. It's imperative." A response is what is wanted by Nash and assistant David Meyler, and a response is what they so badly need. That response, for Nash, needs to consist of being defensively resolute, and having the bravery to play football as they did against Shels and during parts of the defeats to St Pat's and Galway United. "We have to be confident in who we are and what we are about," the 38-year-old said. "That's maybe something we didn't do in the Bohemians game in the first half-hour, where I think we were rocked a little bit. "As much as we are up against a really difficult opponent (in Shamrock Rovers), I think we really need to focus on us, and be the best version of us and give the fans the best version of us. "I think we showed that against Shelbourne in some aspects, and we need to get back to that level of performance, but importantly, we need to put a huge emphasis on getting points on the board over the next eight days, with three games to play." He added: "We need to stand tall, puff our chests out and represent this great club. As much as we're going to play a tough team, it has to be about us and what we are going to do to get ourselves out of the situation that we are in." Dutch winger Malik Dijksteel - who has been working his way back to full fitness after a lengthy injury absence - may feature more prominently on Friday after a number of appearances off the bench. Midfielder Rio Shipston will not make the clash with the table toppers, nor will Matty Kiernan, who is sitting his Leaving Cert. "Malik is one who has stepped up... he's in a better place than he was two weeks ago, so he's one that will be able to have more football."
Irish Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley wary of threat posed by Cork City's livewire attackers
It's first versus last at Tallaght Stadium on Friday evening as Shamrock Rovers look to strengthen their hold on top spot in the Premier Division when Cork City visit Dublin 24. Unbeaten in 10 games, with seven victories in their last eight, Rovers are in cruise mode and enjoying their best form of the campaign. Stephen Bradley's side sit nine points clear at the summit, albeit with two games more played than second-placed Bohemians , who they meet at Dalymount Park on Monday in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash. Conversely, these are worrying times for Cork City, who are bottom of the league, two points adrift of Sligo Rovers and an alarming 10 points behind third-from-bottom Waterford. They travel to the capital on the back of last Friday's 2-0 home defeat to Bohemians. Manager Gerard Nash is still searching for his first win since taking charge four games ago. With no victory in eight and just two from 19 all season, Cork are in a battle to avoid relegation for a third time in six seasons. READ MORE 'The task is huge. We are in a fight, we know that,' said Nash after last week's defeat. 'We have 17 games [remaining] and we have to be better. The players care and we need to show fight and spirit now, starting in Tallaght.' The Leesiders held Rovers to a 1-1 draw at Turner's Cross early last month. Bradley is fully respectful of the challenge they bring despite the 29-point gap between the sides. Cork City's Sean Maguire was singled out by Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho 'When you have (Seán) Maguire, Djenairo Daniels and Cathal O'Sullivan, their attacking threat with those three is as good as any in the country,' said the Rovers manager, whose only injury absentee is defender Adam Matthews. 'Seán Maguire's movement is very similar to (Waterford's) Padraig Amond, very good and very clever. O'Sullivan is a very good young player and Daniels causes real problems, so they must be respected and Cork as a team must be also.' [ Shelbourne end St Pats' unbeaten home record thanks to Ali Coote goal Opens in new window ] Having gone second in the table last week, Bohs manager Alan Reynolds brings his team to his native Waterford as they strive to make it three wins on the bounce to maintain their momentum ahead of hosting arch-rivals Rovers on Monday. 'Waterford are a good side,' said Reynolds, whose team has won nine of their last 12 games since languishing second bottom of the table at the end of March. Bohemians celebrate after Rhys Brennan's goal against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on April 21st, which helped turn their season around. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho 'They had a great record against us last season and they've beaten us already at Dalymount this season, so it's another game where I think we're going into it with something to prove.' Shelbourne welcome Derry City to Tolka Park with manager Damien Duff warning his players not to be distracted by next month's Champions League clash with Linfield . 'Your league form is what gets you to Europe. Don't take your eye off that,' said Duff. 'The lads need to realise they have to be on form individually to be in contention to start or play in Europe. That's very different to just being motivated by the occasion. 'It has to be collective and it has to carry. Build the form, attack the league, take that to Europe.' Friday's fixtures (all 7.45pm) Premier Division Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers Galway United v St Patrick's Athletic Shelbourne v Derry City Waterford v Bohemians Shamrock Rovers v Cork City First Division Athlone Town v Finn Harps Dundalk v Treaty United Kerry FC v Bray Wanderers UCD v Cobh Ramblers Wexford v Longford Town
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Shamrock Rovers' Conference League opponents confirmed with second Dublin/Belfast pairing possible
Breaking | A second all-island European tie could be on the cards next month with Shamrock Rovers to play either Cliftonville or Gibraltar's St Joseph's for a place in the Conference League third qualifying round. Having taken Drogheda United's spot and received a bye to the second qualifying round, Stephen Bradley's men could come up against the north Belfast outfit, as the Premier Division leaders aim to become the first Irish side to make it to the League Phase without coming through the champions route.
The Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Journal
Shamrock Rovers take Drogheda United's place in Uefa Conference League draw
The 42 UEFA HAVE ANNOUNCED that Shamrock Rovers will take Drogheda United's place in the second-round Conference League draw following the decision to expel Drogheda from the competition. The FAI Cup champions lost an appeal with the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday after the club was previously notified of its expulsion from the Conference League. The decision is based on multi-club ownership rules. Drogheda were due to enter the second round draw later this afternoon, but following the CAS decision, Shamrock Rovers will take their place along with FC Dinamo City of Albania. Advertisement The development comes after Shamrock Rovers defeated Drogheda United last night in the Premier Division 2-1 at Lambe Park just hours after the appeal was defeated. St Patrick's Athletic will remain in the first round of the Conference League while Shelbourne will feature in the Champions League draw. The Champions League draw takes place at 1pm Irish time followed by the Conference League draw at 3pm. 'Following the decision of the UEFA CFCB to not admit Drogheda United FC (IRL) to the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League (UECL), and the subsequent confirmation of such decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejecting the club's appeal, Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL) and FC Dinamo City (ALB) have both been moved from the UECL main path first qualifying round to the UECL main path second qualifying round,' a statement from Uefa reads. Written by Sinead Farrell and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
