Stephen Bradley spoke to shamrockrovers.ie UEFA Conference League 3rd Qualifying Round in Kosovo. The match will be shown live on LOITV, with coverage beginning at 7.15pm Irish time, kick off is at 7.30pm Irish time.

An excellent second half performance after an even first half and two Rory Gaffney goals, saw us take a huge three points against Derry on Sunday. You were understandably elated at full time.

“It was obviously an important game and we knew that Derry were closest in the table and a win for them would close that gap. Also, with us playing in Europe, it would’ve put Derry right back in it. So we knew it was an important game and an important three points. One thing is clear and you could see it on Sunday, is the players are well used to big games and understanding what it takes and they showed all of that on Sunday. I thought in the second half, they were excellent.”

Derry went closest to scoring in the first half when Michael Duffy hit the post, but were you pleased how little we limited Derry to in terms of scoring chances thereafter to keep another clean sheet?

“I thought, other than Duffy’s chance off the post, we managed them really well. Derry had some dangerous players on the pitch and we managed that threat really well and didn’t give up much at all, which was pleasing to see. Even in the first half, when we didn’t play a whole lot, we controlled the majority of it, without actually doing a lot in the final third. We still limited Derry to very little and then in the second half, we really dominated. So I was really happy with the performance.”

Michael Noonan has deservedly earned much praise for his performances up front for one so young. But how good has Rory Gaffney been this season after his nightmare injury-hit 2024, when maybe some observers thought Rory wouldn’t come back for 2025?

“It’s a testament to Rory and how he lives his life and his attitude to the game and what it has been. To be playing at the level he’s playing at, with his age and off the back of his injuries last season, is all down to Rory and the hard work and dedication he’s put in. It would have been easy for Rory to step away and finish up last year and think “that’s my lot”, which would’ve been a very good lot. But in every conversation we had, he was always determined to get back and do his stuff and it’s all credit to Rory. For me, he’s been one of the best players in the country this year and when he’s as he was against Derry on Sunday, he’s unplayable.”

So with that big league game out of the way and three big points won, we travel to Kosovo for the first leg of the 3rd qualifying round of the Conference League. There must be a real sense of excitement and focus on playing FK Ballkani on Thursday.

“We enjoyed Sunday, as it’s important to enjoy those moments, those games and winning them. But then on Monday morning, the full focus turns to Ballkani and the game on Thursday. That’s what we do with this team, and this club, and we’re well used to doing that. We’re really looking forward to what will be a tough tie over two legs and it should be a good game.”

What can we expect to see from Ballkani given your homework on them so far in terms of their playing style and what do you know of the pitch standard and overall atmosphere the players will face?

“I’m sure it will be a hostile place. The pitch looks a big pitch and it’s a grass pitch, which always helps. Ballkani have some very good technical players. We know about their centre forward, he scored against us for Shkupi in 2022 and both wingers are good players.  So you can see they have a real clear identity in what they do,  with some good individuals. It has the makings to be a very good game.”

Such is our ongoing availability of players, some regular players didn’t make the matchday squad against Derry. Is the high availability still there to choose from for Ballkani and how are Aaron McEneff and Dan Cleary who came off injured against Derry and Graham Burke who wasn’t risked?

“The squad is in a good place, so with that, you don’t have to take unnecessary risks with certain players. If it was the last game of the season or a Cup Final last Sunday, there’s no doubt Graham would’ve played. But Graham is so important to us that we don’t want to risk losing him for a long period of time. But he’s fine and should be back for Thursday or Sunday. It’s nothing major but we need to be cautious with Graham. Dan Cleary came through ok. He did really well just to get on the pitch and play, but he feels a lot better now. Aaron McEneff had a scan and we’re just waiting on the results and hopefully it’s not too bad. He came out early on Sunday, he didn’t feel anything major happened. He felt some tightness, which is always a good sign when you come off early enough.”