Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has spoken about a difficult conversation early in the season that he believes helped put his team's campaign back on course, according to the Irish Independent.
In an interview reported by the Irish Independent, Bradley recalled a moment when he felt like telling the person he was speaking to to go away — a blunt reaction that he now presents as a turning point. The Irish Independent published the remarks on Saturday.
The context is a title-winning season for the Dublin club. The Irish Times reported that Shamrock Rovers were crowned League of Ireland champions after Shelbourne beat Bohemians, a result that settled the race. RTÉ also carried Bradley's comments after the title was secured, quoting him saying he is lucky to manage the group of players he has.
Bradley's account of the exchange, as reported by the Irish Independent, suggests the conversation was a moment of friction rather than harmony, and that it helped reset the team's direction. He did not, in the reporting available, give further detail on who was involved or when the discussion took place.
The title success was confirmed on a day when Rovers were not in action, with the outcome of the Shelbourne–Bohemians match deciding the destination of the trophy. The42 reported that Bohemians' own title challenge ended in that Dublin derby defeat.
What to watch next: whether Bradley expands on the conversation in further interviews, and how Rovers approach the remainder of their fixtures as champions.
