Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley acknowledged he does harbour dreams of one day managing the Republic of Ireland as he reflected on a double-winning season for the Tallaght club.
The Hoops’ campaign draws to a close on Thursday evening at home to Maltese outfit Hamrun Spartans in the final round of league phase games in the UEFA Conference League.
While Bradley’s side famously progressed from the league phase in 2024 – a historic first for the League of Ireland – they found the going harder in 2025 after drawing a particularly awkward set of fixtures, including games against big-hitters Shakhtar Donetsk and Sparta Prague.
The campaign did yield an impressive point away to AEK Athens – which was mightily close to being a win but for a contentious late penalty awarded to the hosts.
However, last week’s disappointing 3-1 defeat away to Breidablik officially ended their chances of progressing to knockout phase playoff.
“One point is disappointing. There’s no getting away from that,” Bradley told RTÉ Sport’s Tony O’Donoghue.
“I think that shows the bar that we’ve set that we’re being criticised for not having more wins.
“But I totally accept that and understand that when you move the needle and move the bar, it raises expectations. That’s what comes with that and we have to accept that.
“We’ve one point, we’re disappointed. And for us, that’s not good enough.
“We want to try to get three tomorrow. Financially, it’s huge. But just for ourselves, we feel like we’ve left some points behind. So we have to try to get a win on the board tomorrow night.”
Ed McGinty and Roberto Lopes react after conceding in Iceland
Notwithstanding the disappointment at failing to match last year’s showing in Europe, in other respects, 2025 was a landmark season for Shamrock Rovers, the club regaining the league title and securing their first double – and only second FAI Cup – since 1987.
“I think it’s been the most successful year in the club’s history, if we’re being honest,” said Bradley. “The double and European group stage football. It’s a special year. It’s been a long one and thankfully it comes to an end tomorrow.
“The fact that we hadn’t done a double since 1987. We’d lost the title last year. To come back and not only win it but do the double and the league phase in Europe is special. It shows the character and quality in the group.
“We sat down the first day of pre-season. They was our three aims. And then we had to map out how we were going to achieve that. The players deserve tremendous credit to bounce back from the disappointment last year and doing the clean sweep.”
Stephen Bradley poses with the league trophy and FAI Cup
After securing his fifth league title as a manager, Bradley is now joint-second on the all-time list alongside Pat Fenlon and Stephen Kenny, with Jim McLaughlin, on eight, sitting out in front.
In the past, Bradley has been linked with moves elsewhere, notably to Lincoln City, however he has remained in Dublin, partially due to his son Josh’s illness.
“I believe I can manage at the highest level. Time will tell whether I can achieve that.
“I understand and I’m very lucky that I’m in a brilliant job and a brilliant football club.
“But I’ve never shied away from the fact that I do want to manage at the highest level. I want to manage in different countries, I want to experience different cultures. And that will never change.”
And the national team job?
“Yeah, why not? I think that is any Irishman’s dream to manage Ireland. And I’m no different.
“I love supporting the country, the team – in any sport – but obviously football. But yes, if the opportunity came around at some point down the line, down the road, of course, it’s every Irishman’s dream to do that.”
As regards transfers, Bradley indicated that Josh Honohan may have already played his final game for the club though he wouldn’t confirm whether the defender was bound for Lincoln.
“No, Josh will struggle tomorrow. He’s had a knock since before the final. And yeah, it’s just not clearing up.
“I’m not sure [if Honohan is leaving]. Like I said, both clubs are talking and there will be movement in January with a number of players, in and out, which is normal. But, we’ll see what the clubs say.”
Watch the RTÉ Sport Awards on Saturday from 8.05pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport