Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, right, and his son Josh celebrate after the UEFA Conference League Play-off Round win over Santa Clara at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, right, and his son Josh celebrate after the UEFA Conference League Play-off Round win over Santa Clara at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

An emotional Stephen Bradley reflected on a special night ‘both as a father and as a manager’ as he celebrated with his son Josh after Shamrock Rovers made history in Tallaght.

The Hoops have qualified for the Conference League group stages for the third time in four years after seeing off Santa Clara from Portugal – and Bradley admitted that becoming the first Irish club to make it without availing of the champions route made it one of his best achievements in management.