Ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Conference League tie, Stephen Bradley spoke to shamrockrovers.ie

Last remaining tickets for the tie are on sale here

It’s been almost three weeks since we added the FAI Cup to complete our first double for 38 years. Have you been able to let that incredible achievement sink in since the final?

“We had a bit of time away from each other after the Cup Final and in those moments you do think about it, but it’s very quickly that you have to switch on again to what’s coming. We still have aims for the rest of the year, it’s not as if we’re finished and we can relax and take it in. You do have moments of thinking about it, but it’s more having to refocus on Shakhtar Donetsk tomorrow and then Breidablik and Hamrun. S,o it’s now focus on what’s in front of us and maybe at Christmas time, it’ll be a time to reflect and enjoy.”

Everyone took a well-earned break after appropriately celebrating the league and FAI Cup triumphs. With three huge Conference games to play until a week before Christmas, just how important was it for everyone to recharge after so much physical and mental energy was used in landing that double?

“It’s so important. The players give so much on a daily basis, mentally and physically, it takes a lot out of them, they’re not robots. You have to understand that and sometimes rest is the best recovery and time away from each other. But now we’re back into it for the next three weeks and then have a little break before next season. So it was important we had that time away.”

The one downer from the FAI Cup final was a serious ACL injury to Danny Mandroiu. He was back to his best, especially in the second part of the season, so it was a really sickening end to Danny’s season.

“I feel so sorry for Danny because he’d worked so hard and it was quite clear to see he was getting back to his best. So as soon as Danny went down and put his hand up like that, I knew it was bad because Danny doesn’t do that. He’s tough and he gets kicked every week but he gets up and gets on with it. So by his reaction, I knew it was bad and he’ll be out for quite some time. It’s important for us now, as a team and as a club, to get around Danny and give him the support he needs. With these injuries now, with the rehab that’s there, the recovery time is a lot shorter and not as severe on Danny. He looks after himself and doesn’t carry weight so I’m sure he’ll come back stronger. So though he’ll have tough times in the next few months, we’ll all be there for Danny.”

It’s back to business however with our fourth Conference League phase game against Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine, who’ve won two and lost one of their three Conference League games to date. There aren’t many clubs with a finer recent European pedigree than Shakhtar, but we’ve more than earned the right to play them at this level.

“This is why we work so hard to play against this level of opposition. For me, these are the best we’ll have played this year in Europe. They’re very good in all aspects, a really well coached team, with good players who can hurt you in many different ways, which is the sign of a good team. But it’s a nice challenge, it’s one we want and why we work so hard. But again, Shakhtar are a very good team and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

The game is likely to be a sellout but there is also likely to be a sizeable away support for Shakhtar. Have you a message for Rovers fans for another big European night?

“We can’t take these nights for granted. As I said, this is why we work, to play against this level of opposition. So hopefully our fans come out in their numbers, support the team and it should be a good night with two good teams. Shakhtar will have a sizeable support, so it’ll make for a good game.”

Other than Danny Mandroiu’s absence, is anyone else unavailable for the Shakhtar game?

Aaron McEneff picked up a knock in training so he’s out. Max Kovalevskis picked up a concussion at the under 17s World Cup, so he remains unavailable to play. Everyone else is ok.”