In terms of finances, Shamrock Rovers made over €3.5 million from UEFA money last season, but this year’s earnings will be significantly lower at €810,000. However, manager Stephen Bradley assures fans that the budget for next season will not be affected, as the club has learned from past mistakes and will not rely on European revenue before it is earned. Despite the disappointing performance of League of Ireland teams in Europe this summer, Bradley believes that there should not be a knee-jerk reaction within the league. He emphasizes the importance of looking at the long-term future of the league and not making hasty judgments based on current setbacks.
Last year, Shamrock Rovers faced a similar situation with a 4-0 loss to Ferencvaros in the Europa League, but they managed to salvage some morale with a 1-0 win in the second leg. They were still optimistic as they were guaranteed progress to the group stages of the Conference League. However, if they fail to overcome the 4-0 deficit in their current European campaign, their dreams will end tonight. The absence of key players like Jack Byrne and Neil Farrugia due to injury has been felt, and they will be unavailable again tonight. Bradley acknowledges that their absence has affected the team’s chances but does not want to make excuses.
Reflecting on the disappointing 4-0 loss to Ferencvaros, Bradley believes it is important to understand how and why it happened before moving on. Last year, Shamrock Rovers’ success in the Champions League first round was crucial, but this year they were eliminated by Icelandic champions, reducing their back-door options. Other League of Ireland teams like St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk also faced early exits, while Derry City is the only team with a chance of still being in Europe next week. Bradley urges caution against knee-jerk reactions and reminds people that last year everything was seen as perfect for the league.
The premature European exit will not have an impact on Shamrock Rovers’ budget for next season, according to Bradley. He believes that planning on making it to the group stage of European competition should not be the norm, as it is a difficult feat to achieve. Bradley stresses the need for investment in the league but emphasizes that it should not be a reaction to recent setbacks.
The experiences of traveling to play against teams like Breidablik and Ferencvaros have broadened the minds of the Rovers camp. They have been impressed by the facilities provided by these teams, thanks to funding from local and national governments. The Hungarian FA, for example, offers a €1 million bonus to clubs that field at least five Hungarian nationals in their starting lineup throughout the season. Bradley highlights the importance of buy-in from everyone, including the council and government, in order for Irish clubs to catch up with their European counterparts. He believes that while these teams may have better infrastructure, they are not necessarily better on the pitch. However, he acknowledges that they are improving and emphasizes the need for investment and support from the government in order for Irish football to progress.
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