Stephen Bradley will be taking part in the Dublin Marathon today before flying by helicopter to Derry for the game that could land them a fifth title in six years
First they were Shel-shocked, then sinners against the Saints, then Slo out of the blocks against Slovenian hot-shots, Celje.
But Graham Burke insists there is no one panicking inside the Shamrock Rovers dressing room despite their run of three straight defeats.
Yes, there was frustration in Burke’s voice as he reflected on another difficult night in Europe for Rovers as the Hoops were well beaten by a slick, technically gifted side.
But as ever with Burke, the honesty came through loud and clear.
“It was obviously a difficult night,” he said. “Celje are a very good side. I thought they moved the ball really well and got through us too easily at times. All week we’d worked on trying to stop them doing that, but they moved it with real pace and quality.”
It wasn’t for a lack of effort. Rovers’ second-half display showed more resilience, more shape, more bite.
But as Burke admitted, the breaks didn’t go their way. “Yeah, frustrating,” he said. “The good thing is our second half was much better. We had a few chances that could’ve changed it — if one goes in, you never know. But the bounce didn’t fall for us.”
For a side looking to gather momentum in Europe, even a point would have been priceless. “We go into every game trying to win it,” Burke insisted.
“That’s always the objective. But with how the first half went, if you get to the second and can take a point, you probably would take it.”
The message, though, was clear: there’s still belief. With games in Athens and beyond still to come, Rovers know there’s time to make up ground and emerge to the Europa Conference League knockout stage for a second year in a row.
“Yeah, the aim is to pick up points in every game,” Burke said. “We’re coming off two losses in this competition, so there’s still 12 points to play for. We have to start putting points on the board.”
It’s been a testing few weeks for Rovers, domestically and in Europe. The defeat to Shelbourne still stings — a game decided by fine margins.
“That was a close one,” Burke recalled. “We had chances, but it wasn’t to be. Then last week at St Pat’s, we were beaten by a wonder goal — the lad stuck it in from 30 yards. You can’t do much about that.”
And for all the external noise about form and fatigue, Burke was calm, almost defiant. “There’s no panic in this group,” he said firmly. “We’ve been here before. We won’t be panicking.”
Even amid a tricky run, there’s room for perspective. This morning, Rovers manager Stephen Bradley will be taking part in the Dublin Marathon before flying by helicopter to Derry for the game that could land them a fifth title in six years.
“It’s going to be a hectic day for them,” Burke laughed. “A marathon, then straight into a helicopter up to Derry — but it’s for a brilliant cause. Fair play to them. Anyone who runs a marathon, never mind does it and then takes a team for a match, deserves huge credit. The lads will be proud — and they should be. ”
And Sunday brings another potential milestone: a fifth league title in six years. Rovers are effectively champions already, such is their superior goal difference — but Burke isn’t getting carried away.
“I don’t think of it that way,” he said. “We need a point to win the league. That’s where our focus is — in the dressing room, on the pitch. We’re going into Sunday hoping to win the game. We’re not thinking it’s over. You can’t think like that. This group has been here before, and we know what it takes.”
If there’s one away trip Rovers don’t fear, it’s Derry. Over the years, they’ve made a habit of turning up at the Brandywell and producing their best football.
Burke said: “I actually don’t know why we play well in certain stadiums — maybe it’s just how we attack games. We go out to play our football, to be on the front foot. That’s what we’ll do again.
“We know what we’re about. We’ve been here before. And we’ll go again.”
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