The West and South Stands are SOLD OUT, with tickets remaining in the North and East Stands. Buy Now to secure your spot in Tallaght Stadium!

Ahead of Thursday’s match, Head Coach Stephen Bradley spoke to shamrockrovers.ie

It was an excellent 2-1 Conference League play-off first leg away win over Santa Clara last Thursday. What were the most pleasing aspects of the performance?

“That we showed our personality. We brought our identity to the game, which I thought was really important. We’ve learned in European games, especially away from home, you’ve got to bring that identity, otherwise they can be long evenings. We did that against a good team. I thought we played well.”

While it was a great win and it’s merely half-time in the tie, your personal news just before you travelled away, with your son Josh ringing the bell in St John’s Ward in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital to signal a successful outcome to his three years of treatment for leukaemia, that trumped any football result and the travelling support chanting Josh’s name at full time was wonderful for you and the family.

“It was a special, special moment and one we’ll never forget as a family. It’s one we’ve been waiting for, for over three years. There was a lot of emotion in that moment. As parents, we’re just delighted that Josh got to ring that bell, because not everyone is lucky enough to do that. So, we understand how precious that moment was and how lucky we are as a family to get to do that. The fans at the end of the game last week really caught me. I wasn’t expecting it and it made me emotional. Thank you to the supporters. When I rang home afterwards, the family were watching the game and they all saw it and it was special. So a massive thank you to them and it capped an incredible week.”

So having enjoyed last Thursday night and the weekend personally, how has preparation been this week and how important was it that our league game against Shelbourne was postponed last Sunday to help that preparation?

“Shelbourne did request that a few weeks ago. So we’d no control over it, it was taken out of our hands by the league, and I understand why. If the game had been on, we’d have been ready for it. So it was important we enjoyed last Thursday and those moments as the players don’t get many times to switch off at this part of the season. So we gave them that couple of days and then it’s to refocus and knowing what we’re up against tomorrow. We know it’s only half-time, Santa Clara are a good team, but it’s just now refocus and get ready for a tough game.”

Santa Clara will rightly still feel they’re by no means out of this tie. Where did you feel their main threats were last Thursday and might be tomorrow night?

“Their threats are what we felt they would be and what they will be tomorrow night. They have electric pace in the team and some good players. That hasn’t changed and we’ll see that again tomorrow night. Santa Clara will have their moments, but we’ll also have ours. So it’s important when we have them, we’re ruthless in those moments.”

Tickets are selling very well for the second leg, and the support has so often energised the team when it was most needed. Just how important is that support on a big European night?

“You can’t state how important it is, the energy it gives, it helps you in so many games, but especially these type of games, when you know you need everything to go and win the game. We’ll need everything tomorrow night. We know we’re against a really good team with good players, but we also know in Tallaght, when we get a big crowd, who bring that energy, we’re more than a match for anyone in Tallaght and we can beat anyone. So hopefully it’s a big crowd and we can have another really special night.”

Did everyone emerge ok from the first leg against Santa Clara last Thursday and is anyone unavailable for the second?

“Connor Malley is still out, but everyone else came out of the first leg ok and all are available.”